Merkel wraps up China visit

AFP, Beijing, 4 Feb 2012 – German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday wrapped up a visit to China where she tried to reassure her hosts on the strength of the euro and Europe’s ability to overcome its debt crisis.
During her three-day trip to the world’s second largest economy, Merkel praised the advantages of the single currency and urged China to put pressure on Iran and to condemn Syria at the United Nations.
Merkel, who was prevented from meeting journalists and a human rights lawyers, ended her official visit in the southern city of Guangzhou, Xinhua news agency reported.
Merkel, who held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao during her visit, had said that she would raise human rights issues during the trip.
She attended a business forum with Wen, who Friday said China had neither the intention nor ability ‘to buy Europe’.
Experts believe China holds more than $550 billion of European sovereign debt, although the figure has not been officially confirmed.
Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will preside Monday over the 14th Franco-German council of ministers, which will be largely devoted to the eurozone financial crisis.