Germany's Merkel in second trip to China this year

BEIJING German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in Beijing, where she will meet with Chinese leaders to discuss expanding trade ties and resolving problems of European debt. Merkel's two-day visit will include meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, as well as the younger leaders of the Communist Party who are slated to take over during the transition at the helm of the party. Germany's Merkel in second trip to China this year The two sides should sign business contracts and, according to announcements by German officials, Merkel will inform Chinese leaders about European debt problems. The German chancellor is traveling with about 20 managers of German companies from the automotive, chemical, energy, and other industries. She will attend the signing ceremony of business agreements - however, the details of those deals have not been revealed. This is Angela Merkel's second visit to China this year. According to German officials, Wen Jiabao invited her in order for the visit to come before the Chinese Communist Party begins the announced changes at the top, which is scheduled for October. German officials told reporters in Berlin that Merkel wants to reassure Beijing that European debt is "a safe and good investment". The visit will focus on economic issues, although it is expected that the two sides will also talk about Syria, where a civil war has been raging since March of last year. China and Russia have repeatedly used their veto in the UN Security Council to prevent sanctions from being imposed against Syrian authorities - something that was sought by western countries. Merkel will also meet with Siom Jinping, who will be the new leader of China's ruling party and the president of the country, and Li Keqiang, slated to become the new prime minister. (Beta/AP) Beta

Germany's Merkel in second trip to China this year

The two sides should sign business contracts and, according to announcements by German officials, Merkel will inform Chinese leaders about European debt problems.

The German chancellor is traveling with about 20 managers of German companies from the automotive, chemical, energy, and other industries. She will attend the signing ceremony of business agreements - however, the details of those deals have not been revealed.

This is Angela Merkel's second visit to China this year. According to German officials, Wen Jiabao invited her in order for the visit to come before the Chinese Communist Party begins the announced changes at the top, which is scheduled for October.

German officials told reporters in Berlin that Merkel wants to reassure Beijing that European debt is "a safe and good investment".

The visit will focus on economic issues, although it is expected that the two sides will also talk about Syria, where a civil war has been raging since March of last year. China and Russia have repeatedly used their veto in the UN Security Council to prevent sanctions from being imposed against Syrian authorities - something that was sought by western countries.

Merkel will also meet with Siom Jinping, who will be the new leader of China's ruling party and the president of the country, and Li Keqiang, slated to become the new prime minister.