Li and Merkel: friendship behind the China-Germany economic 'dream team'

Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel exchange gifts before dinner in Hefei, the capital of East China's Anhui province, on Oct 30, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

It was the first time that Li has invited a foreign leader to visit his home province.

After presentations of Anhui calligraphy and painting and a tea art show, the two leaders exchanged gifts. Li presented Merkel with quality local tea varieties such as Qimen black tea and Huangshan maofeng tea, as well as an Anhui-style picture made of silk and brocade. In return, the German leader gave Premier Li a porcelain statue made by Germany's Royal Porcelain Factory, and a comic book showing the cultural differences between the two countries.