German President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt (L) welcome China's President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Liyuan (2nd L) at Bellevue presidential palace in Berlin March 28, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

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BERLIN - Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Berlin on Friday, kicking off his visit to Germany, the third leg of his ongoing Europe tour.

It is the first state visit to Germany by a Chinese president in eight years. During the visit, leaders of the two sides will map out the direction of bilateral relations for the coming five to 10 years from a strategic and long-term perspective.

Xi will meet with German President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel, deliver a keynote speech, and meet with business leaders from both countries.

The two sides will also sign cooperation agreements on industry, aviation, science and technology, education, culture and agriculture.

Upon his arrival in Berlin, Xi said the cooperation between China and Germany has been fruitful since both countries established diplomatic relations more than 40 years ago, and both countries now share broader common interests and brand new cooperation opportunities.

"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.

Germany is China's biggest trade and technology partner in the European Union. Bilateral trade volume has reached 161.6 billion US dollars in 2013, 580 times that of 1972 when the two countries established diplomatic relations.

China and Germany have also expanded cooperation in culture, science and technology, education and military affairs.

Before Germany, Xi has visited the Netherlands and France. His Europe tour will also take him to Belgium.

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