MUNICH, Germany -- Visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang met with Horst Seehofer, premier of the German state of Bavaria here on Saturday afternoon, and both sides agreed to strengthen high-tech cooperation.

Li appreciated Seehofer's long-term efforts in actively promoting cooperation between China and Germany, and between China's provinces and cities and Bavaria.

Li said that Bavaria has advantages in technological innovation and the development of new industries, and that there is great potential for Germany's technology to combine with China's market, adding that this has been proved by the success of some well-known German companies in China.

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China is willing to continue cooperating with Bavaria in economy, trade and technology, especially in high-technology, and boost the application of scientific and technological achievements in production, so as to support economic development and improve people's livelihood, Li said.

The Chinese vice-premier meanwhile called for bilateral cooperation to explore the international market.

He also pointed out the importance of competition in achieving technological advances and that of intellectual property rights protection in inspiring innovation.

When technologies are transferred from developed countries to developing ones, both sides should take into consideration the local conditions, and take the strategy of localization and seek joint research and development, so as to adapt to the local market.

Li also hailed the strategic vision of some German entrepreneurs, who brought advanced technologies to China and helped boost market expansion and the creation of a mutually beneficial, win-win result between companies of both countries.

Seehofer, for his part, lauded the traditional good relations between Bavaria and China, and some German companies's investments in China, which he considered as symbols of successful bilateral cooperation.

Bavaria is willing to deepen cooperation with China in such areas as technological innovation, education and energy, Seehofer added.

Li left Munich on Sunday morning for Britain, the last leg of his three-nation Europe tour.