Chinese Premier Li Keqiang suggested establishing an intergovernmental mechanism to coordinate the two countries' development strategies during his talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Thursday morning in Beijing.

China is promoting its "Made in China 2025" strategy while Germany has put forward its "Industry 4.0" strategy to integrate conventional industry and information technology.

"We need to learn advanced technologies and concepts from Germany," Li said at the opening remarks of their talks, adding that China offers a big market for the European economic power.

This year marks the Year of China-Germany Innovation Cooperation.

The two heads of government also touched on other economic affairs, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), RMB internationalization as well as cooperation between China and the European Union (EU).

Merkel said that Germany hopes China and the EU will sign a bilateral investment agreement at an early date.

It will be a significant prerequisite for a later China-EU Free Trade Agreement, she said.

At Li's invitation, Merkel is making an official visit to China from Thursday to Friday. It is her eighth visit to China since 2005 in the capacity of chancellor.

Prior to the talks, Li held a red-carpet ceremony to welcome the German chancellor.

President Xi Jinping and top legislator Zhang Dejiang will also meet with Merkel.

In addition to Beijing, Merkel will pay a visit to east China's Anhui Province, Premier Li's hometown and a place that has benefited from strong economic ties between Germany and China.

The frequent China visits by the German chancellor over the last decade show the close relationship between the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Wednesday, adding that there is greater potential for further cooperation.

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