German Chancellor Angela Merkel receives flowers from an unidentified Chinese woman upon her arrival at the airport of China's capital Beijing May 21, 2006. Merkel is on an official two-day visit to China. [Reuters]

Merkel arrived in Beijing Sunday night on her first visit to China since she took office replacing Gerhard Schroeder six months ago. Merkel, 51, is scheduled to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao today.

Merkel will seek to persuade her hosts to match China's growing economic clout with a greater diplomatic presence, German officials said. "The economic role of China has grown and so has its responsibility on the international stage. Based on its economic position, China must take on more responsibilities," said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Specifically, Germany would like to see China involved more closely in the international efforts to solve the nuclear crisis in Iran. China and Russia, both as permanent member of the powerful UN Security Council, have said that they are against the use of force or economic sanctions against Iran.

Merkel's delegation, which comprises senior officials including Economy Minister Michael Glos, Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee and a delegation of 40 executives from companies such as Siemens and Lufthansa, indicates the economic importance of her trip.

China is Germany's biggest trading partner in Asia.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao used a regular briefing last week to signal the economic importance that Beijing attached to the trip.

"Germany has been an important partner for China in trade, the trade volume between the sides registered US$63.2 billion in 2005, accounting for one third of the trade volume between China and the European Union," Liu said.

"There has been extensive cooperation between China and Germany in various fields, including trade and commerce, culture, sports, science and technology and environment protection."

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