On March 29, 2014 local time, President Xi Jinping attended a reception held by the Chinese and German business communities in Dusseldorf and delivered an important speech titled "Seizing China Opportunities for Common Development", in which he expounded China’s viewpoints on strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation, emphasized on huge opportunities for bilateral cooperation brought by China's efforts to comprehensively deepening reform and further opening up, and expressed the conviction that China and Germany, hand in hand, will be able to achieve their own dreams through sincere cooperation.
Xi Jinping said in his speech, economic and trade relations are the cornerstone and propeller of China-Germany relations. China and Germany are the largest trading partners to each other in their regions. Deepening economic, trade and financial cooperation is one of the priorities of my visit to Germany. The signing of multiple cooperation documents between Chinese and German authorities sends out a stong positive signal to the enterprises of both countries. It will further promote economic and trade exchanges and mutual investment between China and Germany and play an exemplary role in China-Europe economic and trade relations.
Xi Jinping said, China has set two centenary goals. Comprehensively deepening reform will inject strong impetus to China’s development. China will open its economy on a wider scale, in broader areas and at a higher level and push forward the new type of industrialization, informatization, urbanization and agricultural modernization. There are sufficient endogenous impetus driving China’s economic development. China’s sustainable and stable growth will provide a huge market and opportunities for its partners including Germany. Looking into the future, China needs "German quality" while Germany's growth requires the Chinese market and "China speed".
Xi Jinping put forward his expectations for the business communities of both countries.
First, to optimize trade structure, develop targeted and complementary products that meet market demands, and increase the proportion of technology and service in bilateral trade.
Second, to expand areas of investment cooperation. China will continue to create an environment for fair competition and a sound investment environment. Hope that Germany would create better and more facilitated conditions for Chinese enterprises.
Third, to embark on a path of innovation and cooperation and join hands to explore the international market. In an open and innovative spirit, the two sides may explore practical cooperation in different areas through cross-shareholding and joint R&D.
Fourth, to view the cooperation from a global and long-term perspective. Hope that Germany, based on its technological advantages, could boost the trade of advanced technology to meet China's demands and continue to push the European Union to ease the restrictions on high-tech exports to China.
Fifth, to enhance communication and exchange and adhere to resolving trade and investment disputes through dialogue and consultation from a standpoint of mutual benefit and cooperation.
Sixth, to undertake corporate social responsibilities. The business communities should expand the market in the other country on one hand and contribute to the development of the local communities on the other hand by creating local jobs, increasing local tax revenues and actively participating in social welfare activities.
Expressing appreciation to the Chinese and German business communities for their important role in the development of China-Europe relations, Xi Jinping then expressed his conviction that the dreams of the two peoples will come true so long as the two countries join hands, stay practical and steadfast and engage in sincere cooperation.
Peng Liyuan, Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu and Yang Jiechi, were in company at the reception.
Sigmar Gabriel, German Federal Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy and Hannelore Kraft, Governor of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia delivered speeches respectively. They indicated that President Xi’s visit was a strong boost to the development of Germany-China relations. The German side is optimistic about China's growth prospects and is willing to seize opportunities to uplift bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and investment to a new level.
Xi Jinping Meets with German Entrepreneurs before the Reception.
Before the reception began, Xi Jinping met with German entrepreneurs, encouraging the enterprises of the two countries to seize opportunities to expand China-Germany cooperation.