Li calls for closer China-Germany business cooperation

BERLIN - Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday encouraged German enterprises to expand cooperation with Chinese counterparts for win-win results.

China will stick firmly to the policy of reform and opening-up, Li said at a welcome banquet hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during which they held in-depth talks on furthering bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

China, Li said, welcomes more investment from German enterprises and also encourages Chinese companies to scale up their business in the European economic powerhouse.

Noting that China's economy is in a transitional period, Li said that only by persistently pursuing upgrading, reform and innovation and further opening up market potential can China achieve sustained and healthy development.

The Chinese government, he said, treats equally all companies registered in China, whether they are Chinese or foreign enterprises, and provides them with a level playing field.

The premier also urged foreign companies to localize their production and operation in China, noting that localization will help them gain larger market shares.

Meanwhile, he pointed out, the Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting intellectual property rights, a task demanded by China's own development.