China and Germany on Thursday signed eight documents for further cooperation in economy, science and technology and culture fields.

The documents were signed at a ceremony in the German chancellor's office building, witnessed by visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Under one agreement signed by Chinese Ambassador to Germany Ma Canrong and German State Secretary Gerd Hoofe for the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, 400 German young people will visit China next year.

The two sides also signed a framework agreement to set up a Confucius Institute in the German city of Hannover.

Wen, who paid a two-day visit to Germany, also held talks with German President Horst Koehler after he arrived here earlier on Thursday by train from Hamburg.

A welcome ceremony was staged for the Chinese premier at a square outside the chancellor's office building.