China will continue to give priority to its relations with Germany and is willing to make coordinate efforts to deepen relations with the country, a senior Chinese official has said.

During a meeting on Wednesday with Klaus Scharioth, State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui said that bilateral ties are in good shape.

For his part, Scharioth said that Germany and China enjoy a very close relationship in political, economic and other fields, according to a press release issued by the Chinese embassy in Berlin.

The new German government will stick to the one-China policy, which is shared by all main parties in Germany, Scharioth said.

Neither Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder nor his challenger Angela Merkel won a majority in elections on Sept. 18, but both claimed victory. The two are examining the possibility of forming a grand coalition.

Zhang and Scharioth also signed an agreement to establish a China-Germany Forum, which is to be attended by prominent political and economic figures, and leaders in other fields including science and technology, culture, education and media.

The first session of the forum is scheduled for the end of this year in Berlin, according to the release.

Source: Xinhua