After being greeted with military honors, German Chancellor Angela Merkel began talks with China's leaders Monday in Beijing, DPA reported. Before their meeting in the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao praised the close personal relations he had already developed with Merkel, who is making her second visit to China as chancellor. She responded that her past discussions with Wen were "always very open and constructive." An economic agreement and a pact on environmental cooperation were expected to be signed. Merkel was also scheduled to hold talks with President Hu Jintao and was expected to meet cultural and civil rights groups in China during her three-day trip. Also on her agenda for the German chancellor, accompanied by a 25-member business delegation, would be the importance to German industry of China's rapid economic change as well as global warming, product piracy and the safety of Chinese-made toys and other exports. Germany wants to further enhance its already close ties with China and German business intends to "do all it can" to see that the cooperation is expanded, Merkel said before meeting with Wen.
