Berlin, September 23rd—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Martin Schulz, President of the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation (FES), former head of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), and former President of the European Parliament. 

Liu said this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the CPC and the SPD. Today, the two Parties signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing a strategic dialogue mechanism and successfully held the first strategic dialogue, which will promote the future relationship between the two Parties. We are willing to continue political dialogue with the SPD to continuously deepen understanding and policy docking. The Chinese side appreciates the important bridging role of President Martin Schulz and the FES in promoting exchanges between the two Parties over the long run. 

Schulz congratulated on the success of the first strategic dialogue between the CPC and the SPD, saying that the SPD and the CPC share many similar ideas, both advocate peaceful coexistence and adhere to multilateralism. Therefore political dialogue should be strengthened. The FES is willing to actively promote exchanges between the SPD and the CPC and promote the development of Germany-China and European Union-China relations. 

Both sides also had in-depth exchanges of views on international and regional issues of common concern.