Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) holds the welcoming ceremony for German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) in Beijing, China, Aug. 27, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Huang Jingwen)

    BEIJING, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday that the Chinese government would cooperate closely with Germany to prevent computer hackers operating across international boundaries.

    Wen was responding to a reporter’s question concerning a reported Chinese hacker’s attack on the computer networks of the German government.

    ”The Chinese government attaches great importance to the hacker attack on the German government networks,” Wen said, adding China would take “determined” and “forceful” measures to combat hacker activities.

    Wen held official talks with Merkel for an hour on Monday morning in the Great Hall of the People, in which they agreed to list the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) as an important topic for bilateral strategic dialogue.

    ”IPR protection is not only a issue between countries, but also a requirement for China itself in its development,” Wen said.

    He vowed to take all efficient measures, especially legal measures, to punish IPR violators.

    Merkel said she believed China had set up a sound legal base for IPR protection, while calling on specific measures to fulfill the policies.

    Wen also pledged China would shoulder its obligations in fighting climate change and was committed to improving energy efficiency.

    Regarding climate change as a common challenge for the international community, Wen said China stuck to a strategy of sustainable development and had achieved remarkable progress in tackling climate change and improving the ecological environment.

    The Chinese government has announced its first national action plan to respond to climate change and set the goal of reducing energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product by 20 percent and major pollutant discharges by 10 percent by the end of 2010, Wen said.

    ”It will be extremely difficult to reach these targets, but we have already shown our determination,” Wen told Merkel, adding China had a much tougher task than Germany.

    Merkel said Germany was willing to step up cooperation with China on the issue of climate change. She called on all countries to stick to the fundamental principle of “common but differentiated responsibility”, under the framework of the United Nations, and work together to tackle climate change issue.

    Wen introduced Chinese government’s policy and measures on controlling the quality of Chinese products and food safety.

    He said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the quality and food safety issue.

    He said the Chinese government has continuously perfected its legal system and quality standard system, and strengthened law enforcement and supervision in this regard.

    Noting that the quality of China-exported goods is basically fine, Wen said China has always treated the quality issue with a responsible attitude. However, it stands opposed to trade protectionism and discrimination against Chinese products.

    He said the Chinese side will strengthen cooperation with the German side to cope with the issues as it is a challenge facing all countries.

    Merkel agreed that the two sides will conduct exchanges and cooperation in this area.

    During the talks, Wen positively evaluated the sound growth of Sino-German relations and said the Chinese government pays great attention to its relations with Germany and takes Germany as an important strategic partner.

    China sincerely hopes for a long-term, healthy and steady development of bilateral ties, said Wen.

    He said bilateral mutual interests have been increasing and China is fully confident in the future growth of bilateral ties.

    Wen proposed for more contacts between leaders of the two sides, strengthening cooperation in energy and environmental protection, more two-way investment, and more cultural exchanges.

    Merkel said Germany hopes that China will have a better development, voicing that China’s development is conducive to Germany and the world at large.

    She said Germany is expecting further constructive dialogues and cooperation with China so as to jointly cope with the problems and challenges in the current world.

    She reiterated Germany’s one-China policy and echoed with Wen’s proposal for the development of bilateral ties.

    After the talks, Wen and Merkel attended a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperative documents including two framework agreements on the establishment of two working groups in the fields of environmental protection and energy.

    Merkel arrived in Beijing on Sunday on her second official visit to China as German chancellor.

    During her four-day visit, Merkel will also meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and top legislator Wu Bangguo.