German Chancellor visits China
- 12 years ago
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in Beijing for meetings with Chinese officials in order to shore up support for the struggling euro.
Merkel held bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and attended a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People.
Europe is China's largest trade partner and its debt problems have dented demand for Chinese exports, dragging China into its worst downturn in three years.
Regarding the euro, Wen says he's concerned, but hopeful.
(SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) CHINESE PERMIER WEN JIABAO SAYING:
"Recently, the European debt crisis has continued to worsen giving rise to serious concerns in the international community. Frankly speaking, I am also worried."
(SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO SAYING:
"I believe that the governments of the countries of Europe, the European Union, the people of Europe have the leadership and the ability to resolve this issue. I still have faith in the European economy, the euro zone and the euro."
Merkel said the euro zone had an "absolute political will" to stabilise the single currency.
The leaders held a flurry of business deals including a one in which China agreed to buy 50 Airbus planes worth 3.5 billion U.S. dollars.
Merkel held bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and attended a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People.
Europe is China's largest trade partner and its debt problems have dented demand for Chinese exports, dragging China into its worst downturn in three years.
Regarding the euro, Wen says he's concerned, but hopeful.
(SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) CHINESE PERMIER WEN JIABAO SAYING:
"Recently, the European debt crisis has continued to worsen giving rise to serious concerns in the international community. Frankly speaking, I am also worried."
(SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO SAYING:
"I believe that the governments of the countries of Europe, the European Union, the people of Europe have the leadership and the ability to resolve this issue. I still have faith in the European economy, the euro zone and the euro."
Merkel said the euro zone had an "absolute political will" to stabilise the single currency.
The leaders held a flurry of business deals including a one in which China agreed to buy 50 Airbus planes worth 3.5 billion U.S. dollars.