Xi also proposed that Beijing and Berlin step up coordination and cooperation at the China-EU level, as well as within international bodies and multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations (UN) and the Group of 20 (G20).
He urged the two countries to maintain communication over hotspot issues concerning international and regional security so as to preserve world peace and stability, promote healthy world economic development, and contribute to building a community of shared future for mankind.
China appreciates Germany for keeping up with the consensus reached at the G20 summit in the Chinese city of Hangzhou last year, and for continuing to prioritize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and cooperation with Africa at this year's summit, he said.
"The G20 mechanism belongs not only to its members but also to the entire world," said the Chinese leader, adding that Beijing supports Berlin in making the upcoming G20 summit a success and will work with the German side to ensure the meeting achieves positive results.
PANDAS & FOOTBALL
Also on Wednesday, Xi and Merkel attended the official opening ceremony of the Panda Garden at Zoo Berlin.
At the zoo, Xi said he was delighted to see Meng Meng and Jiao Qing, two pandas from China, make their debut to the German public and have a new and pretty home here.
"It is of great significance to restart China-Germany giant panda protection and research cooperation upon the 45th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties," he said.
Xi expressed the hope that the two cute animals will serve as new ambassadors promoting friendship between the two peoples.
Merkel said the German people have made great efforts to provide a comfortable home for the long-awaited pandas, adding that Germany will take this opportunity to deepen bilateral cultural and people-to-people exchanges with China.
Meng Meng, which means "sweet dream" in Chinese, is a four-year-old female panda, while Jiao Qing, meaning darling, is a seven-year-old male.
Meng Meng and Jiao Qing, sent to Germany on a 15-year conservation and breeding program, are not the first pandas given or loaned to the European country by China. The last panda Berlin had was Bao Bao, which was sent to Berlin in 1980 as a state gift from China. The panda died in 2012.
Starting Thursday, visitors to the zoo will be able to see Meng Meng and Jiao Qing in their new garden, which occupies 5,500 square meters.
Later in the day, also accompanied by Merkel, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, watched a football match between Chinese and German youth teams.
He encouraged these young players to foster friendship between the two peoples. "You are the future of the Chinese and German football," Xi told the Chinese footballers and their German peers ahead of the match in Olympiastadion Berlin, a world-famous sports stadium.
"I hope you can develop the hardworking spirit, learn from each other, and maintain close friendship," said Xi.
After the match, Xi pointed out that China and Germany are advancing their football cooperation and that it is a systematic project to improve football skills.
China is willing to push for all-round football cooperation with Germany, said Xi, adding that with joint efforts, the two countries will harvest more fruits from the cooperation.
Xi arrived in Berlin Tuesday afternoon for a state visit to the European country, where he will also attend the G20 summit in the German port city of Hamburg.
