Airbus deal announced after meeting

Two countries want early completion of China-EU investment treaty, German chancellor says

China and Germany have signed 13 deals including on the purchase of 30 A330 and 100 A320 jets manufactured by Airbus Group SE, for $17 billion.

The deal was announced after Premier Li Keqiang met Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in Beijing on Oct 29.

The talks were "candid and productive", Li said as he explained to reporters why the half-hour closed-door meeting had been extended to more than an hour.

In addition to the aircraft order, the two sides agreed to start a feasibility study on free trade talks as soon as possible.

"China could be a huge market for Germany, and the country will learn from Germany's industry," Li said.

Merkel said Germany and China together will push for the finalization of an investment treaty between China and Europe, which would be a precondition for cross-continental free trade talks.

China and Germany pledged to reinforce their financial links by setting up a China-Europe stock exchange joint venture promoting internationalization of the yuan.

The Frankfurt-based facility will become the first official platform dedicated to renminbi trading outside the Chinese mainland.

The two countries will also soon start talks on lending giant pandas to Berlin Zoo, two of whose previous pandas died.

The visit was Merkel's eighth since she assumed office almost 10 years ago. On Oct 30 she and Li were to fly to his home province, Anhui. It was to be the first time he has accompanied a foreign leader on a visit outside Beijing.

zhaoyinan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 10/30/2015 page3)