Beijing- German Chancellor Angela Merkel today, arrived in China on a three-day visit with trade issues high on the agenda.
The countries are important trading partners and Merkel is travelling with a large delegation of German business executives. She is visiting Chengdu, capital of south-western Sichuan province, where more than 150 German companies are active. The visit is Mrs. Merkel's seventh to China since taking office in 2005. She will also hold talks with Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping.

The Chinese market is important for Germany, while China is looking to Germany as the supplier of machinery and cars for its rising middle class.

At a joint business council in Beijing, the German delegation is expected to address sticking points such as fair market access for foreign companies and respect for intellectual property rights.