2016年CRI Germany Vows Closer G20, Peacekeeping Cooperation with China（在线收听）

In the speech, Merkel spoke highly of the Sino-German cooperation in areas such as science and technology, education and law studies.

When it comes to China's rising influence, Merkel said Germany welcomes China's bigger role worldwide.

"The world should recognize China's rising power and view it in a reasonable way. Germany welcomes China's bigger role in international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and agree with including Chinese Renminbi in IMF's Special Drawing Right Basket. China's participation in international affairs in an inevitable result of the rise of its economic strength, while China should also accept responsibilities in proportion to its economic power."

Germany is now China's biggest trading partner in Europe.

Bai Chunli, head of the CAS, says the bilateral cooperation in science and technology has also been fruitful.

"The Chinese Academy of Sciences attaches importance to cooperation and collaboration with our German counterparts. Since the 1970s, the two sides have enhanced academic and educational cooperation through multiple programs. So far, we have established close partnerships with Germany's major research institutes and International ventures. Our cooperation has seen remarkable progress."

As part of the activity, Merkel received an honorary doctorate from Nanjing University.

As one of the oldest and most prestigious college in China, the school has been dedicated to the Sino-German exchange in law studies.

Merkel paid a visit there during her second trip to China as German Chancellor nine years ago.

China's vice Education Minister Hao Ping said education cooperation has great potential that the two sides can tap into.

"Since the first round the the intergovernmental consultations five years ago, the educational departments of the two countries have reached a series of agreements for cooperation in terms of higher education and vocational education. So far, universities from the two sides have launched 11 hundred cooperative programs."

By the end of last year, 36-thousand Chinese students were studying in Germany, compared with 750 German students in China.

The 17th Confucius Institute in Germany will be opened later this month.

During her speech, Merkel also vowed Germany will be working closely with China on the ambitious goals and rich agenda for this year's G20 summit.

She also proposed that the two countries deepen cooperation in crisis management, such as disaster relief in Afghanistan and peacekeeping in Mali.

The visit comes three months after German President Joachim Gauck's trip to China.

Merkel will later visit Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province.