Germany's Merkel begins visit, eyeing 20 deals
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-05-22 08:36 A series of contracts and documents will be signed during her two-day trip,
which will also take her to Shanghai.
Siemens, which led a group that helped build the 30-kilometre magnetic
levitation (Maglev) train link between downtown and Pudong International Airport
in Shanghai, may be among the winners of new contracts.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) listens to
German Transport and Construction Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee during their
flight from Berlin to China's capital Beijing May 21, 2006. Merkel is on
an official two-day visit to China.
[Reuters] |
A Siemens-led group is bidding to
build a 35-billion-yuan (US$4.4 billion) Maglev link between Shanghai and the
nearby city of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province.
"Germany and China have had a very good start on the Maglev project," Liu
Jianchao said. "China is willing to continue to co-operate."
Merkel pledged to "develop a long-term partnership-style strategy" with
Beijing when she took office on November 22; and her trip to China is only the
second country outside Europe she is visiting as chancellor, following two trips
to the United States.
Analysts say she faces some delicate issues with China, which she has visited
in an official capacity only once before as German environment minister in 1997.
Merkel was critical of her predecessor Schroeder's efforts to scrap an EU
arms embargo on Beijing that has been in place since 1989.
Also, Beijing and Berlin are at odds on imposing sanctions against Iran, with
Merkel open to tougher measures and the Chinese Government against a showdown
with the Islamic republic in the UN Security Council.
"From an overall perspective, Merkel will maintain policy continuity towards
China, because she is aware how important the vast market means to German
economy," Lian Yuru, a professor of German studies at Peking University, said in
an interview.
She said Merkel is "rational, pragmatic and cautious" in handling
international relations. "Her first visit as chancellor can also be to establish
a personal equation with Chinese leaders."
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