Thursday, October 11, 2012

Chinese-German Relations Marking 40 Years



The following Chinese text has been translated from yesterday's regular press conference of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While the island dispute between China and Japan is still topping China's political agenda, the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Germany offers a pleasant contrast. The ministry's spokesman Hong Lei (above picture) was answering a relevant question:

问:德国外长韦斯特维勒将于10月11日至13日来华访问。请介绍有关情况及当前中德关系。

Question:
Germany's foreign minister Westerwelle is going to visit China on October 11-13. PLease, give an evaluation of the situation relevant to current Chinese-German relations.

答:应杨洁篪外长邀请,德国外长韦斯特维勒将于10月11日至13日来华出席第三轮中德外长级战略对话。

Answer:
Responding to foreign minister Yang Jiechi's invitation, Germany's foreign minister Westerwelle is going to visit China on October 11-13 in order to attend the third round of strategic talks on foreign minister level.

当前中德关系发展良好。两国高层保持密切接触与联系。今年4月温家宝总理赴德出席汉诺威工博会开幕式及中国伙伴国活动,推动双边关系进一步向前发展。8月默克尔总理年内第二次访华并出席第二轮中德政府磋商,双方在政治、经济以及其他重要领域达成多项共识,强调将共同推进展望未来的战略伙伴关系。

Current Chinese-German relations are developing very well. Both countries are preserving close contact and relations on a high level. In April this year, prime minister Wen Jiabao went to Germany in order to attend the Hannover industrial fair's opening ceremony [and] China's partner country activities, [thus] further propelling the development of both countries' relationship. In August [chancellor Merkel] paid her second visit to China within a year in order to attend the second round of Chinese-German governmental consultations. Both parties have reached manyfold common insight into politics, economy as well as other important fields [which is] emphasizing a joint advance to future prospects within a strategic partnership.

今年是中德建交40周年,“中国文化年”活动正在德举行。发展更为紧密的中德关系,符合两国及两国人民的根本利益。中方愿与德方共同努力,深化政治互信,促进各领域互利合作,推动两国关系不断向前发展。中方相信,韦斯特维勒外长此访将进一步推动中德展望未来的战略伙伴关系发展。

This year is marking 40 years of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, the activities of a "Chinese Culture Year" just being staged in Germany. Developing even closer tied Chinese-German relations conforms to the fundamental interest of both countries and both of its peoples. China is ready for joint efforts together with Germany [in order to] deepen mutual trust in politics, to advance a cooperation in all fields for mutual benefit and to promote a continued forward-looking development of both countries' relations. China is convinced that foreign minister Westerwelle's visit will bring further support for the development of a strategic partnership that is looking into the future.


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