A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to China was fruitful and meaningful, reaffirming the two countries' commitment to maintaining a stable and constructive bilateral relationship, further deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and properly addressing differences through candid, open, and mutually respectful dialogue.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a related query.

This is Merz's first visit to China since taking office, and the first visit by a foreign leader during the Year of the Horse, Mao noted.

Mao said the leaders of both countries believe that China and Germany should enhance strategic communication, advance strategic mutual trust, uphold open cooperation, support multilateralism and free trade, defend the status of the United Nations, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and continuously deepen their all-round strategic partnership.

Both sides also agreed to continue leveraging the role of institutional dialogue mechanisms such as the China-Germany intergovernmental consultation mechanism, she said, adding that they both expressed their willingness to engage in exchanges and enhance understanding in a candid, friendly and open manner, and stay committed to properly resolving each other's concerns through dialogue to ensure the long-term, balanced, reliable, and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade ties.

Stressing that pragmatic cooperation is the most prominent feature of China-Germany relations, Mao said 30 leaders from various leading German enterprises accompanied Merz on his visit to China, fully demonstrating Germany's expectations and confidence in further deepening practical cooperation with China.

During the visit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Merz jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in fields such as green transition, customs, sports, and media. They also attended a China-Germany economic advisory committee symposium, where over 60 German entrepreneurs participated, she noted, adding that German enterprises have expressed optimism about China's economic development prospects and their willingness to further expand investment in China and share in the opportunities of China's modernization drive.

China is ready to take this visit as an opportunity to work with the German side to open a new chapter in China-Germany relations and inject stability and positive energy into the world full of change and turmoil, she added.