Merkel to discuss political, economic issues with Chinese leaders on visit next week

Chancellor Angela Merkel will fly to China next week for a two-day visit that includes talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, a government spokeswoman said on Friday. Merkel will be in China May 24-25 to discuss political and economic issues with the Chinese leaders, at a time of rising global concern about protectionist trade measures undermining growth, Reuters reports. She will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in Beijing. Merkel’s visit would “further increase mutual political trust,” Lu said. Chinese-German relations had been “developing well in recent years,” he added.