Merkel's travels in China

Angela Merkel is making her ninth visit to China as Germany's chancellor, from Sunday to Tuesday, to attend the fourth round of China-Germany Inter-governmental Consultations. In addition to Beijing, she has seen many other Chinese cities on previous visits.

1 May 2006: Beijing, Shanghai - During her first visit to China, Merkel visited Shanghai's Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and St. Ignatius Cathedral. She spoke at a meeting of the German Chamber of Commerce in China and rode the world's only commercially operational maglev rail line.

2 August 2007: Beijing, Nanjing - The chancellor visited Nanjing, Jiangsu province, to launch Germany and China: Moving Ahead Together, a three-year campaign, along with provincial leaders. During her stay, she also visited the Sino-German Law Institute at Nanjing University and the city's Siemens plant. Her reputation in China was somewhat enhanced by her decision to stay in a junior suite rather than a presidential suite at her hotel.