On the evening of October 11th , the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the German Embassy in China jointly held event on celebration of 40th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations in National Centre for the Performing Arts. Xu Kuangdi, the former vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Yang Jiechi, the Foreign Minister of China, Guido Westerwelle, the Foreign Minister of Germany, Li Xiaolin, the president of CPAFFC, Michael Schaefer, the German Ambassador in China and over 1500 guests were present.

In his address, foreign minister Yang Jiechi conveyed the congratulations from the Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiaobao, to the German President Joachim Gauck and Premier Angela Merkel, for the 40th Anniversary of establishment of China-Germany Diplomatic Relations. He also showed his best wishes and sincere gratitude to the people from various circles who made great efforts for the development of China-Germany relations.  Yang Jiechi said, in the last 40 years, the exchange and cooperation between China and Germany had gained substantial achievement, with the development from nonexistence to existence, from low to high frequency, from shallow to depth. Currently, the cooperation between China and Germany was at a new start of history, both sides should respect each other, strengthen the exchange, enhance the mutual trust, enlarge the cooperation, and promote the all-around and continuous development of China-Germany strategic partnership facing the future.

CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin said in her address, in the new world situation, the area of cooperation of the two countries was larger; the intensity of the cooperation was stronger. It could be said Germany was a close neighbor of China from far distance. The people from various circles of both countries should make efforts together, to further enhance the peoples’ mutual understanding and friendship.

Guido Westerwelle conveyed the congratulations from the German President Gauck and Premier Merkel to the Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. He highly esteemed the relation between Germany and China, especially the fruitful results brought by the negotiation mechanism of the governments of both countries. Germany appreciated the support of China had given to Europe during the hard time of the European Debt Crisis. The development of China had brought wide prospect of cooperation to both countries. He said, the relations between the German and Chinese government was very important, but the non-diplomatic friendship also had irreplaceable effect. Germany would like to work together with China to create a bright future of Germany-China relationship.

 Michael Schaefer, the German Ambassador in China rated Germany-China relation at the highest level in history. He said, although China and Germany had different historic tradition, culture and value, those would not obstruct both sides building the close partnership.

The celebration was formed by a reception and a concert. German Federal Youth Ballet and Young Euro Classic Orchestra presented the audience great performances. During the performance, the message of the Chinese Writer Mo Yan being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature reached, the foreign minister of Germany stepped onto the stage and expressed warm congratulations on behalf of the German government.