On the afternoon of May 17, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with German President Horst Koehler at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern.

Hu expressed welcome to Koehler for visiting China again and attending Germany's National Pavilion Day at the Shanghai World Expo, and made positive comments on the new progress made in China-Germany relations. "As major countries, China and Germany have wide common interests and both assume important responsibilities. We should work more closely together to benefit the two nations and promote world peace and development," Hu said.

Hu raised a four-point proposal on the development of bilateral ties. First, Hu proposed the two countries deepen political trust. Both sides should proceed from a strategic and long-term perspective, deepen mutual understanding and trust, and ensure a long-term steady growth of bilateral ties based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, seeking common ground while reserving differences and win-win cooperation. Second, Hu urged both sides to lift the level of economic and trade cooperation. Both sides should make best use of various dialogue and consultation mechanisms, enhance macroeconomic policy coordination, conduct cooperation in environmental protection, energy and recycling and boost cooperation among small- and medium-sized businesses in a bid to foster new growth points of economic and trade cooperation. Third, Hu proposed the two countries enrich people-to-people and cultural exchanges. He urged both sides to work together to ensure the success of "Germany and China –Moving Ahead Together" and other cultural events, continue to bring into play the advisory role of China-Germany Dialogue Forum, make careful preparations for the 10th German-Chinese Dialogue on the Rule of Law, and carry out relevant cooperation to meet their respective needs of improving the legal system. Fourth, Hu suggested both sides expand international cooperation. Both sides should maintain communication and coordination in major international and regional issues, jointly oppose protectionism in any form, and contribute to steady growth of the two economies and comprehensive recovery of the global economy.

Koehler expressed admiration for the achievements made in China's economic and social development, saying that Germany and China share broad common interests, and the further development of strategic cooperative partnership is not only conducive to the two countries, but also is of great significance to world peace and development. Both sides should deepen political trust, take care of each other's interests and concerns and properly handle disputes. Koehler urged both sides to further strengthen economic and trade cooperation, tap huge potential of cooperation in environmental protection and energy and deepen collaboration among small- and medium-sized businesses. He called for efforts to ensure the success of "Germany and China –Moving Ahead Together" and other cultural and people-to-people exchange activities to build up understanding and friendship between both peoples. Both sides should also enhance coordination and cooperation in international and regional issues, he added.

On the global economy, Hu encouraged all countries to stick to their stimulus measures and work closely together as the foundation of the economic recovery is still not solid. "China firmly supports the joint action by the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to rescue Greece," Hu said. "China would like to work more closely with Germany within the G20 framework and boost reform of the global financial system and its institutions," Hu said.

Koehler said Germany hopes to work with China to properly address the global financial crisis, oppose protectionism in any form and ensure the openness of the global economy. Germany is also ready to make joint efforts with China to promote sustained and stable development of the world economy, push forward the reform of the international financial system and build a new international economic and financial system.

After the talks, Hu and Koehler witnessed the signing of cooperative deals between the two countries.

Prior to the talks, President Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for Koehler at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairperson Chen Zhili of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Chen Zongxing, Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party Li Zhuobin, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Hongbo attended the welcoming ceremony.