On the evening of August 27, 2007, an orchestral concert commemorating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Germany was held in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is in China for an official visit, jointly attended the concert and delivered speeches respectively.

Addressing the concert, Wen hailed the ever closer bilateral ties over the past 35 years, adding that the two countries have expanded mutually beneficial cooperation continuously with deepened friendship between the two peoples. He called for joint efforts to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries and usher in a new period for bilateral ties. Wen also expressed hope that the China-Germany friendship will last forever.

Hailing rapidly growing bilateral ties, Merkel said China and Germany are important cooperative partners to each other with ever closer exchanges and cooperation. She expressed the hope that both sides will join hands to open up a bright future for bilateral ties. To this end, she urged both sides to cement youth exchanges and invited 400 Chinese students to visit Germany in the near future.

Later, the two leaders, along with Chinese and German personages from all walks of life, enjoyed a joint performance given by young artists from the two countries.