"The China-Germany relationship has always been strong and complementary, with significant long-term potential," said Thomas Koenig, a senior China affairs expert at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

　　"Despite global trade tensions and other challenges, there remains substantial room for cooperation. China's market continues to be highly attractive for German businesses and expanding German exports to China can contribute to a more balanced and resilient bilateral economic relationship. That is why I remain cautiously optimistic about the future of China-Germany cooperation," Koenig added.

　　Eberhard J. Trempel, director-general of the German Global Trade Forum Berlin, said he believes that the future holds enormous potential for deeper, synergistic cooperation in forward-looking industries such as infrastructure, green tech and decarbonization, autonomous driving, as well as artificial intelligence and industrial automation.

　　"In smart manufacturing, German expertise in hardware and mechanical engineering complements China's speed in applying AI and big data in an ideal way," he said.

　　Vice-Minister Ling also talked about China's trade surplus with Germany and the latter's call for balance.

　　"We fully understand Germany's concerns regarding trade imbalances, but shifts between surpluses and deficits are normal," he said. "Germany possesses advanced technologies, high-quality industrial products and premium consumer goods, and demand for German products in the Chinese market continues to grow. I believe that as long as both sides remain open to one another, achieving a balanced bilateral trade relationship is only a matter of time."