国内英语新闻:Chinese state councilor, German FM discuss ties

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi discussed bilateral ties and cooperation with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle by phone Monday.

It followed a phone hook-up between China's new Premier Li Keqiang and his German counterpart Angela Merkel on Friday, which Yang said indicated the importance the leadership of the two countries attached to further development of the relationship.

The two sides should earnestly implement the consensus reached by their leaders, continue the inter-governmental consultation mechanism and strengthen coordination within multinational organizations, including the Group of 20, to push for the global economic recovery, he said.

Westerwelle said his country was willing to continue cooperating and coordinating with China on major global and regional issues.

Yang, the former Chinese foreign minister, was endorsed as state councilor Saturday at the first session of the 12th National People's Congress.