Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday via a phone conversation with Germany's new Chancellor Angela Merkel that China will make joint efforts with Germany to further boost relations between the two countries.

Wen spoke highly of the remarkable achievement made by the two sides in bilateral relations and their good coordination and cooperation in international affairs. Wen pointed out that Chinese President Hu Jintao's recent state visit to Germany has made substantial results and further promoted bilateral relations.

He congratulated Merkel on her appointment as German chancellor and exchanged views with the new German Chancellor on issues concerning China-Germany friendly and cooperative relationship.

Wen reiterated that China will continue to value the Sino-German ties as it did in the past, expressing the hope that the two sides will maintain high-level official exchanges, strengthen political dialogue and consultation, and push forward bilateral cooperation in the fields of economic and trade, science and technology, education,culture and environmental protection.

The partnership of global responsibility between China and Germany will score new achievements through concerted efforts by the two countries, Wen said.

Merkel agreed with Wen's view on bilateral relations, noting that Germany will continue to uphold the one-China policy and hopes to expand cooperation with China in various fields, on the track of the smooth development of Germany-China relations in recent years.

She also expressed her expectation to visit China next year to witness the profound transformation taking place in the country.

Source: Xinhua