Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping opened on Wednesday a new Berlin zoo enclosure for two giant pandas on loan from China, as the two countries prepare for what could be one of most turbulent Group of 20 summits on record.
Germany and China's so-called panda diplomacy set the scene for more serious topics. The two leaders pledged to work together to overcome the deep divisions that have emerged in the current world order so as to ensure a successful outcome at this week's G20 summit in Hamburg. 
The pandas - Jiao Qing and Meng Meng - were "two very sympathetic diplomats," Merkel said a speech at their new Chinese-style residence, which cost about €10mn.
They were "goodwill ambassadors of our two countries," Merkel told Xi, who said the pandas "sent a message of the friendship between the two nations."
Merkel welcomed Xi to Berlin, declaring Beijing to be a close ally in a troubled world. The two nations also signed a slew of commercial contracts.
"You are welcome here at a time of turbulence in the world," Merkel told the Chinese leader amid signs that the global threat posed by North Korea's missile test could now dominate the G20 meeting of the leaders of the world's major economies, which opens on Friday. 
China and Germany could contribute to "calming this turbulence and creating a more settled world," the chancellor said, adding that Xi's visit represented "a good opportunity to expand and broaden our extensive strategic relationships."
But the two-day G20 summit is likely to underline the differences that have emerged between the major political powers.
In particular, US President Donald Trump's sharp criticism of both Germany and China over their trade surpluses as well as his move to ditch the Paris climate change accord underscores the difficulties the G20 leaders face in reaching agreement in Hamburg. 
Meanwhile, the tensions between Washington and several of its key allies has helped push Berlin and Beijing to forge even closer ties, with Merkel warning on Wednesday of the "difficult negotiations" facing the G20 leaders in Hamburg. 
Merkel went on to say: "I hope that we can still overcome some hurdles even though I do not yet know what the final result will look like."
Xi told the chancellor that China would support Germany to ensure a successful outcome in Hamburg.
In addition to trade and broad global issues, Merkel and Xi said their talks in Berlin focused on terrorism, Syria and measures to head off cyberattacks. 
Xi's visit to Berlin formed part of a flurry of diplomatic meetings in advance of the Hamburg G20 summit.
Merkel is to meet Trump on Thursday evening for talks. The US leader is also to hold his first face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin since he moved into the White House in January.
Underscoring the economic ties between Berlin and Beijing, Chinese and European companies - including German carmaker Daimler and the nation's industrial giant Siemens - signed a total of eight contracts.
European aircraft maker Airbus also signed a $22.8bn contract with the China Aviation Supplies Holding Company to deliver 140 planes in the coming years.
Xi told Merkel he hoped that the ties between the two nations would enter a new phase aimed at further deepening their partnership. This also included working together in high-technology areas such as aerospace.
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