Merkel visit focuses on economy, not human rights

German media have termed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to China more as a "business trip" and exercised restraint while reporting on thorny issues such as the differences on human rights between Beijing and Berlin.

Accompanied by a large delegation - of 22 politicians and entrepreneurs from influential companies, including Volkswagen, Siemens and Deutsche Bank - Merkel paid a three-day visit to China (which concluded on Tuesday) for the seventh time since assuming office in 2005, with the German media focusing on the "economic" aspect of her visit. For example, German news agency Deutsche Presse Agentur said: "With politicians and leading heads of (the) German economy, Chancellor Angela Merkel is engaged in the extension of business with China (during her visit this time)."

Despite the differences on human rights and economic policies, Merkel envisages a close relationship between Berlin and Beijing, said German magazine Focus. And in a report published on the website of German newspaper Donaukurier, Agence France-Presse said: "The chancellor's visit program has various dimensions, but it is primarily fixed by business exchanges between China and Germany, which plays a very important role" for both countries.