Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) attends a welcoming ceremony held by German President Joachim Gauck (R) before their meeting in Berlin, Germany, March 28, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R, front) meets with German President Joachim Gauck (1st R, front) in Berlin, Germany, March 28, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with German President Joachim Gauck in Berlin, Germany, March 28, 2014. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R, front) attends a welcoming ceremony held by German President Joachim Gauck (L) before their meeting in Berlin, Germany, March 28, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Berlin on Friday with his German counterpart, Joachim Gauck, for discussions on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

During the meeting, Xi said leaders of the two countries have kept the development of bilateral relations in the right direction since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Germany.

The two sides have built a community of common interest from a strategic, long-term perspective and on the basis of the shared interest of the two peoples, enabling bilateral cooperation to grow increasingly extensive and close, said Xi.

The Chinese leader noted that the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges, and established several long-term dialogue and exchange mechanisms, which have played an important role in promoting mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation.

To keep sustained and stable development of bilateral relations, Xi proposed, the two countries should first continue enhancing mutual understanding and political mutual trust, and always respect each other's core interest and major concerns.

Meanwhile, the two sides need to continuously strengthen all-dimensional practical cooperation and work together to enhance mutual understanding and affection between their peoples, Xi said.

For his part, Gauck hailed the great changes that have taken place in China, as well as China's role in the profoundly changing world.

Germany admires the great achievements China has made, pays great attention to the Chinese dream, and wishes China success in reform, innovation and development, Gauck said, adding that his country believes that China will achieve greater success.

Germany is willing to actively take part in China's modernization process, deepen bilateral practical cooperation, and join hands with China to address all sorts of problems and challenges of the 21st century, he said.