China and Germany should enhance mutual trust, clear misgivings, narrow differences and focus on cooperation to ensure the long-term healthy and steady growth of bilateral relations, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday.

Li's remarks came as he co-chaired the sixth round of China-Germany inter-governmental consultation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link in Beijing.

In his opening remarks, the premier noted bilateral trade volume increased on a year-on-year basis last year despite the fallout of COVID-19, a strong indicator of the high level and immense potential of bilateral cooperation.

The direct beneficiaries from bilateral cooperation are the people from both countries, and the stability of international industry and supply chains also can be protected during the process, he said.

With the pandemic far from its end and protectionism continuing to exist, Li highlighted the need for China and Germany, as two major economies and influential nations, to take the lead in conducting open, mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.

With the two nations set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, the premier urged both sides to treat each other with sincerity, seek win-win cooperation and rise above unnecessary distractions.

Merkel hailed the new depth in bilateral cooperation in diplomacy, trade and economics, agriculture, society, food security, sustainable development and response to climate change in her opening remarks.

Germany and China both have important roles to play in the global response to COVID-19, and Berlin is willing to work with Beijing for cooperation in vaccine production and mutual recognition of vaccination, she said.

The EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment is transparent and equal, and it will provide more guarantees for bilateral trade and economic cooperation, she said.

As all-round strategic partners, Germany hopes to maintain dialogue and exchanges with China and further enhance mutual understanding, she said.