Beijing:Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, hosted Elke Budenbender, the wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at a tea reception in Beijing. This meeting took place during President Steinmeier's state visit to China.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Peng Liyuan reminisced about her 2017 visit to Germany with President Xi and expressed appreciation for the friendship between China and Germany. She also commended Budenbender's efforts in advocating for women's and children's rights. During the reception, the two first ladies viewed a short film showcasing cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

The discussions highlighted the rich cooperation between China and Germany in education and culture, with Peng Liyuan expressing aspirations for deeper mutual understanding and friendship between the people of both countries. Elke Budenbender thanked Peng for her hospitality and acknowledged her role in fostering cultural exchanges. She also expressed her willingness to promote cooperation and strengthen the friendship between the two nations.

The scope of exchanges between China and Germany includes language, festivals, arts, tourism, and education. The Leibniz Confucius Institute in Hanover has been instrumental in organizing summer camps, online language-partner programs, and speech contests, attracting more German students to China. Additionally, the Bonn-based Burg Chinese Chorus facilitated a visit for 80 students and teachers to Yunnan for the Yi Torch Festival.

Furthermore, Berlin's Red Town Hall has consistently hosted a Chinese New Year gala for the past 12 years, while cities like Frankfurt and Duisburg have celebrated Chinese festivals featuring traditional dance, music, film, and tai chi. In a move to facilitate easier travel, China has extended its visa-free policy for German citizens through 2026.