HANNOVER, Germany - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday evening met here with former German Chancellors Helmut Schmidt and Gerhard Schroeder on bilateral relations.

In his meeting with Schmidt, Wen hailed the former chancellor's contributions to China-Germany relations, noting that he was the first German chancellor to visit China after the two countries forged diplomatic ties.

Wen also appreciated Schmidt's continued close attention to and studies of China despite old age and his efforts to enhance understanding between the two countries.

The Chinese premier said that the world has undergone profound changes and China has achieved great accomplishments over the past 40 years.

He said China values peace and takes on inclusive and open attitudes, and is willing to learn from the international community and deepen cooperation with the outside world.

For his part, Schmidt said China has a brilliant history and has also endured hard times. Today, China is developing at a stunning speed, he said.

Schmidt said he admires the Chinese culture and appreciates China's foreign policy based on the idea of harmony. He said China is embarking on a right path and wished China even greater achievements.

In his meeting with Schroeder, Wen said Schroeder had stuck to the one-China policy and made efforts to promote exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, culture, science and technology between the two countries when he was chancellor.

Schroeder's efforts had deepened bilateral ties and laid a solid foundation for the two sides to make joint efforts to cope with today's international financial crisis, said Wen.

Wen said China is willing to deepen cooperation with Germany and other European countries and to send out a message of confidence and strength to the world through the Hannover Trade Fair.

Schroeder said he was glad that he had done his part in advancing Germany-China relations and that he has always seen China as a good friend.

He said China has been fully recognized by the world for its timely and effective measures to cope with the international financial crisis.

Germany and China share important consensus and have common interests and therefore they could strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, said the former German chancellor.