Chinese state councilor meets former German Chancellor

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder here Wednesday.

Tang applauded Schroeder's contribution in the past many years to the development of China-Germany relations, saying that China values the relations with Germany.

China was ready to work with Germany to increase mutual trust and deepen bilateral cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, in a bid to advance the healthy and stable development of China-Germany relations, Tang said.

Schroeder said the development of relations with China was of great importance for Germany. He would continue his efforts to promote bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, environmental protection, the people's livelihood and other areas.

Schroeder was here on a visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.