Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Germany last week ushered bilateral economic and technological cooperation relations into a new phase, better tapping into the complementary nature of ties between the two nations, says an article in the 21st Century Business Herald.

Excerpt:

Germany, China’s largest trade, investment and technological cooperation partner in Europe, is the country Li visited on his first foreign trip last year after becoming premier. China and Germany signed an estimated 20 inter-government cooperation agreement and business contracts in industry, information, energy, and aerospace.

Germany and China are the two largest trade-surplus countries in the world, thanks to their strong manufacturing industries. The two countries are in similar positions regarding trade friction with the United States. Germany has played an important role in mediating trade friction on solar-power products from China in the European market.

Cooperating with China can also help Germany to improve its political influence in the world. Both the German and Chinese governments are reforming their respective economies and industries. They can exchange their experience in structural reforms and become partners of innovation and industrial upgrading.

The close cooperation between China and Germany is not limited to bilateral ties, but is also of global strategic importance. China and Germany hold many similar stances and common interests in the construction of a new international economic governance order. On many hot international issues, Germany has different foreign policies from the United States. Germany respects international law and procedural justice more than the United States.

Germany attaches more importance to international cooperation, and is against unilateralism and hegemonic military action. Germany’s stand is closer to China and Russia.

That China and Germany are constructing an all-round partnership will have a far-reaching influence on the globe.