China and Germany have signed a series of agreements promoting cooperation in fields including energy conservation, environmental protection, investment, agriculture and education.

The agreements were signed following talks between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his German counterpart Angela Merkel. Both leaders reached an important consensus on deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations during the talks.

Earlier, Chancellor Merkel welcomed Premier Li to Germany through a welcome ceremony. During the talks, Li said the two countries should strengthen communication by continuing annual meetings between leaders and through inter-governmental consultations. He proposed setting up a dialogue mechanism that involves both the finance ministers and central bank governors.

He also suggested launching the China-Germany Council of Economic Advisors, a Chinese Chamber of Commerce and an investment promotion agency in Germany. Li and Merkel officially launched "the Year of Languages" program between China and Germany, an initiative meant to encourage the two peoples to study each other's language. Germany is the last leg of Li's first overseas tour since taking office, which has also taken him to India, Pakistan and Switzerland.