BEIJING, July 7 -- Chinese and German companies signed a number of agreements in Beijing on Monday morning, for deals including buying helicopters from Germany and setting up a new automobile manufacturing base in China.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel witnessed the signing of several contracts after their official talks at the Great Hall of the People.

Air China signed an agreement with its Star Alliance partner German airline Lufthansa.

The two sides agreed to establish a new manufacturing base for FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd.

They also decided to build an "ecopark" in Qingdao that will showcase energy-efficient buildings.