German Chancellor Angela Merkel makes a speech during the official opening of the CeBIT trade fair in Hanover March 15, 2015. The world's biggest computer and software fair will open to the public from March 16 to 20. [Photo/Agencies]

HANOVER, Germany -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday that Germany views China as partner in the development of complex technologies and that both countries could cooperate in the area of digital economy.

Merkel made the remarks in her address at the opening ceremony of the annual IT fair on Sunday in the Germany city of Hanover.

CeBIT, the world's leading trade fair for information and communication technology, will be held this year during March 16-20, with a primary focus on digital economy. More than 3,400 companies from 70 countries and regions are expected to showcase thousands of innovations from the digital world.

"The competition in the area of digitalization is large and globally, and there is a lot of strong competitors from China," Merkel said.

She said German economy views China not only as the most important trading partner outside Europe, but also a partner in the development of complex technologies.