Premier meeting with German chancellor and business leaders

Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Berlin on Wednesday, starting a two-day visit highlighting cooperation on innovation.

Li and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held the two nations’ yearly prime ministers meeting that same day, with innovation high on the agenda.

The two leaders also planned to attend a forum on the topic and talk with business executives from both sides.

On his arrival, Li said his visit is meant to build on the Sino-German friendship, and to promote innovation while enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

Gu Junli, a German studies expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: “The synergy of the Made in China 2025 strategy and Germany’s Industry 4.0 campaign is likely to be a major topic of the premiers’ meeting.

“Germany is seeking intelligent manufacturing, while China is trying to deeply integrate manufacturing with the internet, to have the power of the market improve the pattern and quality of the manufacturing industry.”

The nations’ different approaches provide a huge opportunity for cooperation, and Li’s visit is expected to expand and deepen the cooperation, he said.

Gu said key areas may be renewable energy and environmental protection, which are growing pillar industries in Germany.

Ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde said in an interview with Chinese media before the visit that “manufacturing industries of the two nations are highly complementary. China is a big manufacturing country, while Germany is a strong one.

“A new round of industrial revolution is speeding up, gaining momentum ... which has brought an unprecedented opportunity for strategic cooperation.”

Shi said there are 8,000 German companies operating in China with a total investment volume of more than 60 billion euros ($67 billion), while nearly 2,000 Chinese enterprises

Manufacturing industries of the two nations are highly complementary.” Shi Mingde, ambassador to Germany from China are operating in Germany.

are operating in Germany.

Those companies will be a key strength in advancing cooperation, he said.

Two strong nations joining hands will have an effect far beyond their boundaries, Shi said.

He cited the potential for construction under the Belt and Road Initiative. That refers to the Silk Road Eco-

Contact the writers at lixiaokun@chinadaily.com.cn

Zhang Yue in Berlin contributed to this story