German expert: Infrastructure key for growth

Head of think tank says China's lead in such issues as climate should be carried forward

China's contributions during its time as the rotating chair of the G20 - helping to improve global sustainable infrastructure, green financing and international development - are impressive and should be carried forward by Germany when it takes the group's reins next year, according to the head of a prominent German think tank.

Dirk Messner, director of the German Development Institute, said China has brought new dimensions to the G20 platform, which he said has "traditionally" focused on global growth and the reform of economic governance since the first meeting was held in Washington at the height of the financial crisis in late 2008.