BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Thursday for a three-day official visit to Germany at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Upon his arrival, Li said that China and Germany had upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March.

Ever since, the two countries have maintained close contacts at different levels, and bilateral cooperation has been uNPRecedentedly deepened and broadened, the Chinese premier said.

Li said he was looking forward to making in-depth exchanges of views with German leaders on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, strengthening mutual strategic trust, mapping out medium- and long-term cooperation plans in innovation, economy and trade as well as other areas, enhancing the friendship between the two peoples and promoting the development of the Sino-German relations to a new height.

This is Li's second visit to Germany since he took office in March 2013.