"The EU and China Need Each Other More Than Ever" / Chinese Premier Li Keqiang a guest at the "Hamburg Summit" in the Chamber of Commerce (PHOTO)

Hamburg (ots) -

- Cross-reference: Picture is available at
http://www.presseportal.de/galerie.htx?type=obs -

During the closing lunch of the "Hamburg Summit: China meets
Europe", which took place in the Chamber of Commerce on 10 & 11
October 2014, the President of the European Parliament, Martin
Schulz, emphasised the importance of economic cooperation between the
People's Republic of China and Europe in the presence of the Chinese
premier Li Keqiang and four of his ministers: "As China's weight in
the world has grown enormously, so has the untapped potential of the
EU-China Partnership. A whirlwind financial crisis has shown how
interdependent we are, and global problems requiring global responses
have multiplied. The EU and China need each other today in a more
holistic way than ever before."

The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Frank-Walter Steinmeier,
paid tribute to the conference: "The 'Hamburg Summit' is a very
important Sino-German platform for figures from the worlds of
business, politics and science. Ideas are generated and contacts are
established here, with a view to making Sino-German relations even
stronger. Few places in Germany and Europe have cultivated such an
intimate relationship with China as Hamburg." This is well suited to
the Sino-German 'Framework for Action' entitled, "Promoting
innovation together", as it not only revolves around research,
technology and economics, but "is also a reflection of a modern
educational and social system and a functioning constitutional
state."

The President of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Fritz Horst
Melsheimer, came to a very positive conclusion at the end of the
conference: "After numerous meetings and discussions at our
conference, I am sure that China will tackle the drastic and dolorous
economic reforms agreed in 2013 and will emerge strengthened." He
also advocated the promotion of improved mutual understanding and
strong mutual trust at all levels. "China and Europe have a great
deal in common regarding economic aspects. China and Europe should
therefore promote the development of an open, multilateral,
rules-based, global economic and trade order together." President
Melsheimer thanked the Chinese Premier for his visit and in
particular commended this visit to the "Hamburg Summit", which this
year took place for the sixth time, enjoying a record attendance of
more than 600 participants.

The previous day EU Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, explicitly
welcomed the Chinese government's reform efforts in his speech,
commenting: "We applaud the government's intention to move to a more
open regime for foreign direct investment, including in services
sectors. He also praised China's commitment regarding the decisive
role of the market for their economy. Making real change is never
easy, De Gucht continued. China and its people can be sure of
Europe's support on this journey. With regard to Europe, adopting a
stance contrary to that of current populism, De Gucht called for
keeping the markets open, as Europe's economy can only regain
momentum through international trade and investment.

Additional current press releases, background information and
images from the "Hamburg Summit: China meets Europe" 2014 are
available at http://www.hamburg-summit.com and at
http://www.twitter.com/HamburgSummit.

Contact:
Dr. Jörn Arfs, Communications Department - Hamburg Chamber of
Commerce, Tel.: 040-36138-301, Fax: 040 36138-460, E-Mail:
joern.arfs@hk24.de, www.hk24.de