Chinese President Xi Jinping is now in Germany, the third European country in the itinerary of the Chinese leader's goodwill tour.

Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan were welcomed at the Bellevue presidential palace in Berlin by German President Joachim Gauck and partner Daniela Schadt.

President Xi is optimistic that Chinese-German relations will take on a new direction, further increasing economic relations, and bridging it to the next level of bilateral cooperation.

Like Us on Facebook

"I look forward to working with German leaders to map out the blueprint for the development of China-Germany relations, having extensive contact with people of various circles in Germany to discuss cooperation and build up friendship, and bringing the China-Germany strategic partnership to a higher level," Xi said upon his arrival.

Xi and his delegation arrived in Germany on Friday after  three days in France, and previously in the Netherlands for the Nuclear Security Summit with other world leaders.

The visit to Germany is the first for Xi and the latest visit for any Chinese leader in the last eight years.

Germany is a very important partner of China in terms of trade and technology among other European Union member countries. As of the end of 2013, bilateral trade volume stood at US$ 161.2 Billion (1.01 Trillion yuan), the largest in the nearly forty years of diplomatic relations of the two countries.

The two countries' bilateral relations have been expanding in recent years, especially in areas of cooperation on education, science and technology, culture and military affairs, after Beijing and Berlin elevated their relations into a "comprehensive strategic partnership."

China's Ambassador to Germany, Shi Mingde, says the visit of Xi will foster further mutual understanding. He adds, "China and Germany share many agreements and common interests in terms of responding to international challenges and resolving major regional and global issues."

Xi will be in Germany for two days during which he will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to sign agreements in areas such as science and technology, education, aviation, industry, agriculture and culture.

Germany is China's biggest trade partner in Europe and China is the biggest partner of Germany in Asia. The volume of trade between the two is equivalent to the combined annual trade of China with France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

German investment in China grew by 40 percent in 2013 at US$ 2.08 Billion (12.9 Billion yuan) and Chinese investments in Germany increased by  29 percent from 2012 at US$ 830 Million (5.1 Billion yuan).

Germany is the third leg of President Xi's four-nation European tour. After two days in Germany, the delegation will proceed to Belgium.