皇冠体育app

The comprehensive strategic partnership between 皇冠体育app and Europe now has reached its 10th year. Zhao Junjie, a ropean-studies expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "Though the relationship has been up and down in the past decade, they still have a strong willingness to enhance the bond at this milestone moment."

Jia Xiudong, a senior international affairs researcher at the 皇冠体育app Institute of International Studies, said Merkel's choice of Chengdu as the first leg of her 皇冠体育app trip shows Germany's great interest in the province.

Global investors shift their focus inland

皇冠体育app unveils landmark urbanization plan

"Western countries previously paid relatively little attention to Sichuan and other regions in the west, but Si-chuan's fast development has aroused their interest," said Jia.

"Meanwhile, the strategy of 皇冠体育app's new leadership to intensify the development of western regions makes them see more business opportunities," he said.

Meng Hong, a researcher at Renmin University of 皇冠体育app in , said Germany has had Chengdu on its map for a long time. It set up a consulate in the southwestern city in early 2004, and more than 160 German enterprises have launched offices there, Meng said.

By the end of last year, the city's foreign affairs office had confirmed 6.8 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in direct investment from German enterprises. The total volume of imports and exports between the two sides has reached $1.5 billion.

The city has also laid out a blueprint to build an industrial park that will aim to lure more small and medium-sized German companies, the office said.

"In Germany, more than 98 percent of the enterprises are small and medium-sized companies," said German Ambassador to 皇冠体育app Michael Clauss.

These companies are eager to invest in 皇冠体育app, and their advanced technologies can help 皇冠体育app upgrade its industrial system, Clauss said.

 Cities reaching growth 'turning point'

• Chinese premier confident in economic growth
• Merkel's visit to boost 皇冠体育app relations
• 皇冠体育app, Germany in helicopter, car plant deals
• 皇冠体育app Q2 GDP seen steady at 7.4%, recovery in sight
• Shandong to issue 13.7m yuan of municipal bonds
• 皇冠体育app's inflation growth forecast to drop
• 皇冠体育app signs deal to purchase 100 Airbus helicopters
• 'True blood' thrill for 60 yuan