Merkel's visits to China aimed at forging 'special' ties

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) talks to chef Zhang Wei in a restaurant in Chengdu, China, July 6, 2014. Angela Merkel was accompanied with a high-level business delegation and stayed in China until July 8, 2014. [Photo/IC]

Future development

"Both the German and the Chinese governments continue to have a clear interest in expanding the successful economic and political cooperation between their countries," said Kadura while commenting on the future development of Sino-German bilateral ties.

"More than 60 dialogue forums, partly taking place at the highest level, support this position," he added.

Meanwhile, Bunse predicted that Merkel's upcoming visit to China would further intensify mutually beneficial trade relations.

"Merkel's visit will further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of innovative industries and digitalization of production chains. It will create new opportunities for both sides in 2015, the year of 'innovation partnership' between China and Germany," the CEO said.

Sino-German relations, said Shi, are facing new development opportunities. "Last year, China and Germany agreed on a leading role of innovation in future bilateral cooperation. This is the first time that China has established a broad innovative partnership with a Western power."

Also, bilateral cooperation has broad prospects in the field of high-end manufacturing, the ambassador said. In addition, the two countries can enhance their cooperation to jointly promote the "One Belt One Road" initiative.

Speaking of the main challenges facing Sino-German relations in the next few years, Shi noted that the two countries should fundamentally promote mutual understanding between the two peoples, properly handle differences and continue to tap new growth points for the development of bilateral ties.

"There is a Chinese saying: Rowing upstream, not to advance is to drop back. China and Germany should have a long-term perspective, and continue to tap potential and fortify cooperation in order to promote the development of bilateral relations to a higher level," he said.