German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in her Chancellory on Tuesday with a 400-member Chinese youth delegation, hailing the exchange between the younger generation of the two countries.

After photo taking session at the hall of the Chancellory, Merkel spoke to the guests, hailing the exchanges between the younger generations of China and Germany.

To the excitement of the Chinese delegation, Merkel sent birthday gifts to three Chinese guests whose birthday fell on the day.

The delegation, headed by Lu Hao, the newly-elected head of the Communist Youth League of China, was the largest ever delegation sent to Europe by the All-China Youth Federation.

The members of the delegation included public servants, athletes, artists, scholars, teachers, journalists and university students.

The visit is part of the exchange program agreed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Merkel in the hope of boosting mutual understanding between the two peoples. A 400-member German youth delegation visited China last year.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2008)