On the evening of March 18, 2013, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held a telephone conversation with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.

It followed the phone conversation between China's new Premier Li Keqiang and his German counterpart Angela Merkel three days ago. Yang said that conversation showed the importance the leaders of the two countries attached to the further development of the relationship. Both countries should earnestly implement the consensus reached by their leaders, continue the inter-governmental consultation mechanism, enhance dialogue and cooperation and strengthen coordination within multinational organizations, such as the Group of 20, to push for the global economic recovery, Yang said. "We are confident of a forward looking Sino-German strategic partnership " .

Westerwelle said his country is willing to continue cooperating and coordinating with China and enhance communication on major global and regional issues so as to push forward bilateral ties.