On June 13, 2008, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Steinmeier expressed once again condolences to China over the Wenchuan earthquake, pledging to offer further aid for the reconstruction efforts of the quake-hit areas. He said Germany would help China to build eight schools in earthquake-hit regions. Yang expressed gratitude for the support and assistance the German government and people have offered for China's relief efforts.

Yang said that the present sound development momentum of China-Germany relations was hard-won and should be cherished. He urged both sides to handle bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective and in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, strengthen exchanges, dialogue and cooperation, build up mutual understanding and trust and properly handle differences, so as to ensure the sound and smooth development of bilateral ties.

Steinmeier said maintaining sound Germany-China relations is of great significance and Germany would continue sticking to the one-China policy and remain a long-term cooperative partner of China to push for stable, comprehensive development of bilateral ties.

Both sides agreed to reopen strategic dialogue and human rights dialogue in the second half of this year, increase exchanges between the young diplomats of the two countries, deepen cooperation on the UN and other multilateral affairs and enhance consultations on climate change and environmental protraction.

Both sides also exchanged views on Africa's development, the EU integration process, global energy security and other issues.

On the same day, the two foreign ministers visited an art exhibition, one of a series of Germany-China exchange events.