BEIJING, April 23 -- Vice minister Li Jinjun of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee met here today with Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, vice-chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

Li spoke positively on relations between the two countries and the two parties, saying that with the success of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Germany in March, the two sides decided to elevate the China-Germany relationship to an all-round strategic partnership, which means a new era with new opportunities for bilateral relations. The CPC values its relationship with the SPD, Li said, which has not only promoted the relationship between the two countries, but also exerted its influence in the whole world. The CPC hopes to continue strengthening its exchanges and cooperation with the SPD, with a view to making greater contribution to the development of the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership, said Li. Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the starting of engagement between the two parties, he also expressed hope that the two side could commemorate this important moment through a series of activities, so as to summarize the positive experience of the past and better plan a future for the development of relations between the two parties.

Schäfer-Gümbel said that the SPD has always attached great importance to its relationship with the CPC, and that, through the joint efforts of the two parties, the relationship has expanded and deepened, carrying more contents in more ways. The SPD is willing to take the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the starting of relationship, he said, to further strengthen the exchanges and dialogue between the two parties, and jointly promote the development of China-Germany ties in various areas of practical cooperation.

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