Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) shakes hands with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Beijing, China, April 8, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang expressed his confidence in the country's economy on Friday, stressing that China has the ability to maintain medium-high rate of growth.

Li told visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier that China's economic indicators for the first quarter have shown many positive changes and are better than expected.

At the same time, the basis for the positive trend of China's economy is not solid yet, the premier said, attributing the situation to the world economic downturn and market fluctuation.

"We face up to the difficulties and challenges, will continue to play well the tremendous resilience, potential and space to maneuver of the Chinese economy, and constantly push forward reform and opening up," Li said.

China has the confidence and ability to sustain a medium-high growth rate and move to medium-high level of development, the premier stressed.

On China-Germany ties, Li called on both sides to improve the alignment between the "Made in China 2025" and "German Industry 4.0" strategies, advance cooperation in third-party markets in high-speed rail and other fields, in order to promote their economic growth.

Given the present complicated world economic situation, all countries should enhance communication, expand collaboration and jointly tackle challenges, Steinmeier said, noting Europe also faces many difficulties.

Germany is ready to push forward cooperation with China in third-party markets in high-speed rail, infrastructure construction and other fields so as to promote stability and growth, according to the minister.