Chinese Premier Li Keqiang welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Beijing on Sunday evening and held a brief meeting with her at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, ahead of official talks scheduled for Monday morning.

The German leader is on a three-day visit, the seventh official trip to China since 2005 when she was voted to her first term as chancellor.

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Earlier Sunday, Merkel spent her time visiting German companies in Chengdu city, Sichuan province, where close to 150 German companies have manufacturing plants or business offices.

Calling Germany an "important cooperative partner," Premier Li said China was ready to work with it to promote exoansion of  the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership.

He said Merkel's tour in Chengdu will help strengthen the cooperation between west China and Germany.

On Monday morning, Merkel will be accorded formal welcome ceremonies. After officials talks, the two prime ministers will jointly face a press conference at the Great Hall of the People. Li is also expected to accompany the German leader to a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a famous tourist spot in Beijing.

At Chengdu, Merkel said bilateral relations with China are very important for stronger cooperation in many fields, as Germany strives to achieve closer communication and coordination in international and regional issues.

Merkel is accompanied by a large business delegation that will have separate dialogues with the Chinese business community.

Merkel will also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and top legislator Zhang Dejiang during her China visit.

Germany is China's largest trading partner in Europe.

Two-way trade between the two countries reached $161.6 billion in 2013 and accounted for almost one-third of total trade between China and the European Union.

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