In Beijing on 13 June 2016, Li Keqiang, the Chinese Premier, and Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, jointly conducted the fourth China-Germany Intergovernmental Consultation. Both sides expressed their view that bilateral relations at a variety of levels had deepened substantially since the third round of intergovernmental consultation in October 2014, in line with the implementation of the Plan of Action on German-Chinese co-operation on Joint Innovation. The two countries agreed that continuous efforts will now be made to further implement and update the action plan, including moves that would further strengthen co-operation in such areas as politics, economics and trade, investment, innovation, and the environment. Moreover, both sides welcomed the collaboration between China and the EU in building the “Belt and Road” and Eurasian transport corridor links. Steps will be taken under existing mechanisms (particularly via the China-EU Connectivity Platform) to explore channels that would allow German companies to participate more fully in the construction projects and expand co-operation with regard to industrial investment and finance. Support will also be given to promoting the greater integration of the Eurasian transport corridor technologies and the harmonisation of law under the multilateral framework. This will form part of a bid to increase the frequency and raise the efficiency of the China-Europe train service. Meanwhile, the customs authorities of the two countries will co-operate in expediting customs clearance facilitation for China-Europe freight trains.

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