Ancient Chinese lock is symbol of China-Germany manufacturing cooperation

Premier Li Keqiang presents a Lu Ban lock, a kind of ancient Chinese puzzle, as a gift to German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the 7th Sino-German Economic Cooperation Forum, Oct 10, 2014.

The Lu Ban lock, a kind of ancient Chinese puzzle made of six bars, was presented by Premier Li Keqiang as a gift to German Chancellor Angela Merkel when he visited Germany two years ago.

It was not just a gift. The sophisticated lock, first designed by Lu Ban, father of Chinese craftsman more than 2,000 years ago, also stands for the manufacturing cooperation between China and Germany

"It is difficult to unlock the puzzle, and I believe that the cooperation between China and Germany can solve world problems together," Premier Li said at the 7th Sino-German Economic Cooperation Forum on Oct 10, 2014.

It is a cooperation between the biggest manufacturing country and "Made in Germany", one of the best manufacturing benchmarks in the world.

According to Shi Deming, Chinese ambassador to Germany, the Lu Ban lock also represents the craftsman's spirit, a pillar of China's manufacturing transformation.

The craftsman's spirit was first advocated by the Premier in the Government Work Report in 2016. He said the government should encourage enterprises to develop customized products, striving for the best quality.

China should train millions of engineers, skilled technicians and professionals to improve the competitiveness of Chinese products and equipment in the global market, he also said.

Premier Li also hopes that better-quality products will upgrade consumption.

Last year, the State Council issued many policies aimed at improving consumer goods, including the air purifier, electric cooker, smart toilet lid and kids' clothes. Higher national standards on those goods were introduced.

"We must not only produce better industrial equipment, but also make more quality consumer goods to enhance consumption's contribution to the economy," the Premier said.