On 3 April 2007, VM LIU Yanhua met with Mr. Matthias Kleiner, president of German Research Foundation (DFG) and his party. LIU briefed the guests on the pattern and key research areas China finances and supports as well as sectors for international S&T cooperation. The German guests introduced the means and principles by which DFG supports projects. The two sides exchanged opinions on how to facilitate cooperation between research institutes and enterprises.

For years, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and DFG have maintained a good cooperative relation. Both parties had supported the mutual visits between Chinese and German scientists and co-organized joint research and seminars. Two sides agreed to initiate joint study on analysing research modes and organizing research activities.