Chancellor Merkel to talk trade in China

By DPA

Beijing : After being greeted with military honours, German Chancellor Angela Merkel began her talks with China’s leaders here Monday.

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Before the meeting, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao praised the close personal relations he had already developed in the past with Merkel. She responded that her past discussions with Wen were “always very open and constructive”.

Merkel is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and is expected to meet cultural and civil rights groups in China during her three-day trip.

Also on the agenda for the German chancellor, accompanied by a 25-member business delegation, will be the importance to German industry of China’s rapid economic change.

This is Merkel’s second visit to China as chancellor.