Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Beijing Tuesday the relationship between China and Germany is at its best point in history, and the cooperation and exchanges in all fields have fully developed.  

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, told visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder that China has attached importance to its relations with Germany, and has taken Germany as a reliable partner.

Wu said he is satisfied with the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, adding that Germany has advanced technique and management experience, and China's rapid economic growth and its strategy of developing the west and northeast regions will give more opportunities for Sino-German cooperation.

He said parliamentary exchanges constitute an important component of bilateral relations, and in recent years, the NPC and German parliament and their committees have maintained close contacts.

This helps promote mutual understanding and common ground, he said, adding that he is glad to see the consensus of all major parties in Germany on promoting relations with China.

Wu said the Chinese side is ready to promote dialogues with Germany in legislative and other fields, and exchanged views in a frank way.

Schroeder said the cooperation between Germany and China has been fruitful, and the German government is ready to work with China to expand bilateral ties.

He said China's strategies on developing the western region and industrial bases in the northeast region are far-sighted and help balance the pace of development in different regions in China.

Schroeder will visit Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and preside over the opening ceremony of a German consulate there. He said Germany would like to participate in China's economic development process.

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2003)