Li urges Germany to increase high-tech exports
Print Edition
CHINESE Premier Li Keqiang said on a visit to Germany yesterday that he was confident his country’s economy would continue to grow at a “medium to high tempo,” forecasting growth of about 7.5 percent this year despite turbulence in the world economy.
Li told a joint news conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the global economy was facing more uncertainty but said China still possessed “vast growth potential.”
“We are confident that we can reach growth of about 7.5 percent this year,” said Li. “I say roughly because the final rate could be a little higher or lower than the 7.5 percent goal.”
Li was in Berlin for German-Chinese consultations, a bi-annual forum in which senior members of both governments discuss cooperation on issues including trade and economic policy to security matters.
Before their news conference, a series of business deals were signed including an agreement for European planemaker Airbus to sell 70 A320 single-aisle jets to China Aviation Supplies Holding Company, and a 25-year extension of carmaker Volkswagen’s joint venture with China’s FAW.
Deutsche Telekom announced a joint venture with China Mobile to build a digital network for cars on Chinese roads.
The European aircraft manufacturer said the order reflects strong demand from Chinese carriers for single-aisle aircraft for domestic, low cost operations.
“We are grateful to China for its strong vote of confidence in our leading A320 family aircraft, and are happy to see them assembled at our Chinese facilities,” Airbus Chief Executive Fabrice Bregier said.
Airbus has already assembled and delivered 190 A320 aircraft from a facility in north China’s Tianjin City.
It said it had also signed a letter of intent with its Chinese partners to build a similar facility for A330 family aircraft, wide-body planes that can carry over 400 passengers.
In a 52-page document listing areas of cooperation between the world’s top exporters, there was a call for a rapid conclusion to talks between the European Union and China on an investment pact, saying this could set the stage for a free trade deal in the longer term.
Merkel urged Li to ensure free access to Chinese markets for foreign firms.
Li urged Germany to increase high-tech exports to China, support the inauguration of feasibility studies on a China-EU free trade zone, and help ease the EU’s high-tech export restrictions on China.
China and Germany, in a year of high-frequency diplomacy, stress they want to boost their multi-billion-dollar trade and investment ties and deepen a new “innovation partnership.”
Earlier, Merkel and President Joachim Gauck rolled out the red carpet and received Li, joined by an entourage of 130 business chieftains, with full military honors.
Li’s 14 ministers met 12 German counterparts to discuss cooperation in fields ranging from climate change and agriculture to using German green-technology to manage China’s breakneck economic growth.
Both sides signed some 30 cooperation and investment deals worth over 2 billion euros (US$2.5 billion) in sectors including health, education and the environment.
Li today addresses a business forum in Hamburg, where some 500 Chines firms have offices.
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