Chinese president Xi Jinping met with Sigmar Gabriel, vice-chancellor, chairman of Social Democratic Party of Germany, in Beijing on Wednesday.

Xi said since China and Germany established diplomatic relations 43 years ago, the relations of the two countries have kept a steady and healthy development. The two sides have enjoyed more frequent high-level exchanges and an increasing political mutual trust.

Xi said during his visit to Germany that both sides decided to lift bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Both countries are more confident in their relationship while their cooperation is more comprehensive towards a brighter future.

The Sino-German economic relationship now involves trade, investment and finance, Xi said, calling for in-depth cooperation in these areas.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Europe. Xi hopes that Germany, as the important member of European Union, to take a leading role in promoting the work between China and Europe.

The Chinese leader praised the SDP of Germany for its historic contribution to the development of Sino-German relations, adding that the Communist Party of China (CPC) pays great attention to developing its relationship with the SDP.

For his part, Gabriel said that in 2014, Xi’s visit to Germany was successful and was a historic incident in China-Germany relationship, which has promoted the cooperation of the two sides in every field. Germany is confident of China’s economic “new normal” and look forward to intensifying a pragmatic cooperation with China in economy and trade, science and technology and culture.

Gabriel said that SDP speak highly about their relationship with China and hoped they can enhance dialogue and communications and promote mutual understanding and trust.