German Chancellor Angela Merkel is beginning a three-day visit to China with trade issues high on the agenda.
The countries are important trading partners and Mrs Merkel is travelling with a large delegation of German business executives.
On Sunday she is visiting Chengdu, capital of south-western Sichuan province, where more than 150 German companies are active.
The visit is Mrs Merkel's seventh to China since taking office in 2005.
She will also hold talks with Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping.
BBC Berlin correspondent Stephen Evans says the Chinese market is important for Germany while China is looking to Germany as the supplier of machinery and cars for its rising middle class.
In the past, the chancellor has spoken out against human rights abuses in China but it is not clear if she will voice her disapproval this time, he says.
At a joint business council in Beijing, the German delegation is expected to address sticking points such as fair market access for foreign companies and respect for intellectual property rights.
More at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-28182045Before you say it, I too thought it was a new trailer for the next season of The Walking Dead.
