Merkel and Wen signed a joint communiqué in Beijing to signal their closer co-operation. The communiqué describes in 28 points the framework for future relations between Germany and China.

In this regard, the Federal Chancellor added “We have a strategic partnership which we will expand in the future.” According to her, it is planned to hold regular government consultations in order to intensify co-operation at the highest level.

Economic issues at the centre of the discussions

“Germany and China have maintained very close contact whilst coping with the international financial and economic crisis," stated the Chancellor following the meeting. Chinese Prime Minister Wen shares this view: “Sino-German relations survived the severe test of the global financial crisis."

Despite the crisis, the bilateral volume of trade for both countries remained stable. According to Merkel and Wen, the noticeable upswing in business offers a good chance that bilateral trade will continue to develop dynamically.

The two heads of state also openly discussed China’s so-called market economy status. The issue here is the European Union's recognition of China as a market economy.  This would provide several advantages to China when trading with the European Union. Beijing would like receive this status as quickly as possible.

In the opinion of the Federal Chancellor, China does not yet completely meet these conditions.  According to the Chancellor, the issue of protecting intellectual property has not yet been solved. At present, foreign companies have no assurance that their product will not be counterfeited.

It was also not yet clear whether foreign companies will have access to Chinese markets without being disadvantaged, Merkel said.

Co-operation expanded especially in the environmental area

The Federal Chancellor is being accompanied on the trip by Federal Environmental Minister Norbert Röttgen. This is an expression of Germany’s exceptional interest in a deepened co-operation in environmental protection, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Accordingly, energy and environmental policy play a central role in the just-signed communiqué. It makes reference to a variety of working groups and projects through which, in particular, there is to be closer co-operation in energy and environmental issues. These involve questions of coal utilisation, the recycling economy, energy conservation, energy efficiency, bio-diversity and the protection of ecosystems.

A “German-Chinese Platform for Alternative Drive Systems” is also to be formed in order to enhance co-operation in the field of electro-mobility.

Interesting meetings, intense discussions

Following her meeting with the Chinese Prime Minister, Merkel met with the German-Chinese Dialogue Forum. High-ranking personalities from economy, politics and culture from both countries are working together in the forum. The subject of their discussions is the closer co-operation between the civil societies of Germany and China. They presented their proposed solutions to the heads of government in Beijing.

Thereafter, numerous economic agreements were signed in the presence of the Federal Chancellor. Following a press conference, Merkel met with graduates of the Central Party Academy. As part of these discussions, the Federal Chancellor explained the role of the political parties in Germany. In addition, the Chancellor spoke about the paramount importance of individual rights such as the freedom of opinion.