German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Beijing late last
night on her second official visit to China, which is partly aimed
at emphasizing her commitment to fighting climate change on a
global scale.
Merkel is scheduled to meet with President Hu Jintao and Premier
Wen Jiabao today to discuss the possibilities of closer cooperation
on the environment and energy efficiency, green technology and
innovation.
Before leaving for China, she said the two countries'
governments have continued to enhance communication and
consultation on various issues.
Michael Schaefer, the newly appointed German ambassador to
Beijing, said Merkel's second visit to China during her less than
two years in office, reflects the importance the leadership of the
two countries attach to bilateral cooperation.
Ma Canrong, China's ambassador to Germany, corroborated
Schaefer, and said frequent high-level exchanges will bolster
mutual trust and take the already positive bilateral ties to a new
level.
Merkel's trip comes just three months after German President
Horst Kohler's first visit to China in May.
"With a common interest and similar opinions on broad
international issues, the two influential countries are expected to
contribute more to the world peace and stability," Ma said.
Trade cooperation
A delegation comprising 25 business leaders will accompany
Merkel to China, with commercial deals expected to be inked in a
wide range of sectors today.
Merkel and Premier Wen will meet with businesspersons from the
two countries this morning, and attend the Sino-German industries
forum in the afternoon.
China is the third largest exporter to Germany, with its total
supplies last year reaching 49 billion euro ($66.42 billion).
Ambassador Ma said bilateral trade is healthy and balanced, with
China enjoying a favorable balance of trade in merchandise and
Germany having a trade surplus in the services sector.
The Chinese government is exploring the possibility of holding a
"German products fair" in the country to increase imports,
especially high value-added hi-tech German products, Ma said. The
exercise is also expected to deepen cooperation in environmentally
friendly technologies and renewable energy.
China's embassy figures show that 5,338 German projects with a
total investment of $13.4 billion were set up in China by the end
of last year.
Cultural ties
Another priority for Merkel is to inaugurate a three-year
program, "Germany and China - Moving Ahead Together". The program
will showcase German artistic and cultural creations in six major
provincial hubs, including Nanjing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
Wolfgang Rohr, head of Germany-China Task Force, said it would
be the largest and longest program to showcase Germany in a foreign
country.
"By introducing German culture, science, economy and lifestyle,
the program aims to present a modern, creative and future-oriented
Germany, the 'Land of Ideas', to audiences across China," Rohr
said.
Nanjing, home to many German enterprises, will be the first city
to experience a variety of art, music and theatre performances from
Germany, and Merkel will launch the program by inaugurating a
classical ballet, Romeo and Julie, performed jointly by the
Stuttgart Ballet and the National Ballet of China.
(China Daily August 27, 2007)
