On December 29, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji held talks with visiting German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides exchanged opinions on bilateral relations and international situation in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

Zhu extended welcome to Mr. Schroeder for his fourth visit to China since he assumed the position as Federal Chancellor, stressing that China-Germany relations have made remarkable progress in various fields in recent years and the relationship is the in its best period in terms of scope and depth. Noting that Germany is China's biggest partner in Europe in terms of trade and technological cooperation, Zhu said that bilateral trade this year is expected to hit a new high. He also pointed to Germany's increasing investment in China, in many huge projects in particular, citing the successful construction of the maglev railway in Shanghai as a milestone in the history of bilateral economic and trade relations. Zhu said that the two countries have also strengthened exchanges and cooperation in culture, science, technology and law, and their bilateral ties have been continuously enriched.

Zhu said that China and Germany share identical or similar views and more and more common interests on major international issues such as safeguarding world peace and promoting universal development. He said that the two countries have worked together in the United Nations and other international organizations, voicing China's satisfaction with the progress of bilateral cooperation and expectations of their cooperative prospects. Zhu also thanked the German side for its adherence to the One China policy and its support in China's bid for the 2010 World Expo, stressing that the Chinese side is willing to work with the German side to further strengthen the friendly relations of cooperation in all fields.

Schroeder noted that bilateral ties are very good in various fields and firmly based and characterized by stability and continuity. The maglev project is an important sign of productive bilateral economic and technological cooperation. He said Germany hopes bilateral ties will continue to advance at a high level, and hopes to boost cooperation in such fields as tourism, culture and personnel exchanges, as well as their consultation and cooperation within the UN Security Council.

Schroeder also reiterated Germany's One China policy, saying this policy will not be changed.

Zhu and Schroeder also discussed issues concerning Iraq, the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan during their talks.

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