German Chancellor G. Schroeder (R) headed to China's southern and western regions, after talks in Beijing in which both countries reaffirmed their commitment to building closer economic and strategic ties. Photo by AFP
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder headed to China's southern and western regions, after talks in Beijing in which both countries reaffirmed their commitment to building closer economic and strategic ties. Boosting trade between one of the world's biggest exporters, Germany, and the world's fastest growing major economy, China, was at the top of the agenda for Schroeder's fifth visit to China. But both sides also discussed ways to strengthen political ties during discussions between the Chancellor and President Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Schroeder indicated he agreed to work towards lifting a European Union embargo against arms sales to China, German ZDF public television reported.