Chancellor to visit Beijing next week

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit China from Aug 30 to 31 to boost bilateral ties during what will be her second trip to Beijing this year.

Premier Wen Jiabao and Merkel will co-chair the second round of Chinese-German intergovernmental consultations during her stay, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement on Thursday.

The frequent exchanges and personal friendship between the leaders have built a solid base for bilateral relations, said analysts, adding that economic cooperation will be on the top of Merkel's agenda.