German foreign minister to visit China

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle will visit China from Oct. 11 to 13 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a Wednesday press briefing.

Westerwelle will attend the third foreign minister-level strategic dialogue between China and Germany during his visit, Hong said.

Westerwelle's visit will further promote the Sino-German bilateral strategic partnership, the spokesman said.

China-Germany relations have enjoyed sound development and leaders from both countries have maintained close ties, Hong said, citing Premier Wen Jiabao's April visit to the Hannover Industrial Expo and his German counterpart Angela Merkel's August visit to China.

Hong said both leaders have reached agreements in multiple fields, adding that both countries will boost their strategic partnership in the future.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, China has launched "Chinese Culture Year," a year of China-centric activities that will take place in Germany, Hong said.

Hong said closer China-Germany relations are conducive to the fundamental interests of both peoples. China is willing to cooperate with Germany to deepen political trust, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and push bilateral relations to a higher level, he said.