On June 28, 2011, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel jointly attended the sixth Chinese-German Forum for Economic and Technological Cooperation in Berlin. Premier Wen delivered a speech entitled "Work in Partnership for Common Development" at the forum.

Wen said close business ties are a pillar of China-Germany relations. Thanks to joint efforts of the business communities of the two countries, our business relations have flourished. The Chinese and German economies are highly complementary, and both have maintained sound growth. It is therefore fully possible for our business relations to enter a new stage of growth.

Wen raised the following proposals.

First, we should expand trade. Our goal is to double the current trade volume in five years. We hope that Germany will recognize China's full market economy status at an early date.

Second, we should encourage two-way investment. All foreign companies registered in China in accordance with the law receive national treatment; and the intellectual property rights of all companies will be effectively protected. We also hope that the German government will take active and effective steps to support Chinese companies in making investment in Germany.

Third, we should strengthen technological exchanges and cooperation. China will not make technology transfer a mandatory requirement. We hope that Germany will urge the EU to relax export control and increase the share of high- and new-tech products in its trade with China.

Fourth, we should expand cooperation on new energy, energy conservation and environmental protection. We also hope that Chinese and German companies will make substantive progress in cooperation in new energy based transportation, building efficiency and low-carbon eco-city development.

Fifth, we should increase cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We will leverage the respective strengths of Chinese and German SMEs in capital, technology, R&D, human resources and market to promote common development.

Sixth, we should boost people-to-people exchanges. China proposes to set up a "Chinese-German vocational education alliance" involving the government, companies and academic institutions to be based in the China-Germany demonstration center for vocational education.

Wen said being a key EU country, Germany plays an important role in enhancing EU friendship and cooperation with China. China places great importance on growing its relations with the EU. There are no conflicts of fundamental interests between China and the EU and both sides share extensive common interests. Economically, China and the EU are at different stages of development, with much to offer each other. In terms of culture, both the Chinese and European cultures have distinctive features. What is important is to view China, the EU and China-Europe relations from a positive, long-term and overall perspective. Both sides should develop the ties based on mutual respect, mutual trust, consultation on an equal basis and mutual benefit to further enrich and strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wen lastly said "Let us keep on pursuing mutual benefit with unshakeable commitment and confidence and work hard to till the fertile land of China-Europe friendship. I am convinced that the seeds of friendship we have sown together will grow into giant trees, and our win-win cooperation will bear rich fruit."

More than 500 senior government officials and business representatives from China and Germany attended the forum, which was co-hosted by the National Development and Reform Commission of China and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.