Top trade partner, gateway to Europe

New approach

As the second and fourth-largest economies in the world, China and Germany both enjoy a rapid economic growth.

The ups and downs of the financial crisis made the relationship between the two trading partners even more solid. In 2011, the first consultation by former premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened in Berlin.

It has now become a new way to maintain China's relationships with foreign countries.

It solved problems in trading photovoltaic products in 2013.

This year, the two governments continue to place a priority on strengthening bilateral relations.

President Xi Jinping visited Germany in March and Merkel visited on July 6. A range of high-level officials from Germany have paid visits in the run-up to her arrival.

The increasingly frequent State-level visits continue to fuel trade development.

In addition to long-standing industry links in machinery manufacturing and infrastructure, the two countries look to cooperation in urban planning, new energy, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and financial services.

The author is the deputy director of the Department of European Study at CAITEC of Ministry of Commerce.

China, Germany sign trade pacts	Infographics: Sino-German ties stronger