Germany and China held their first joint cabinet meeting Tuesday and inked more than $15 billion in business deals but Chinese premier Wen Jiabao warned Europe against interfering in its internal affairs.
The new contracts, including one for the purchase of 62 A320s from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, were signed at a press conference with Wen and Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting of 23 German and Chinese ministers.
Berlin rolled out the red carpet during the two-day stay of the Chinese delegation, starting with an informal dinner for Wen and his inner circle hosted by Merkel at a lakeside villa Monday.
But Wen insisted Tuesday that despite 'growing and deepening ties,' he would not accept lectures on human rights or the rule of law from European partners.
'China respects the political system and the development model chosen by the citizens of the EU,' he told a conference of German and Chinese business leaders at a Berlin hotel.
'In exchange, we expect from the EU respect of our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and the autonomous choices of the Chinese people.'
At the press conference, Merkel welcomed the release of prominent Chinese dissident Hu Jia and outspoken artist Ai Weiwei from custody amid a government crackdown on dissent.
But she said that Germany expected Ai's case and others like it to receive a 'transparent' handling by Chinese authorities.
Western nations including Germany had repeatedly urged Ai's immediate release. But Berlin has expressed serious concerns about apparent restrictions on Hu and Ai including their freedom to speak to the media.
Human Rights Watch had urged Berlin to place the issue front-and-centre at the talks, saying that Ai's release showed 'that political pressure on the Chinese government works.'
While Merkel welcomed Wen to her chancellery with military honours, a few dozen demonstrators waved Tibetan flags and shouted 'Freedom for Tibet!' in German.
And at the end of the press conference, a German protester held up a golden-coloured, waving cat figure emblazoned with Chinese characters and a club in its paw, which he called a 'prize' for Wen.
'For the economy, for billions in deals,' he shouted.
Relations between China and Germany hit a low point in September 2007 when Merkel welcomed the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader whom Beijing brands a dangerous separatist.
Wen told reporters in London Monday that China would not accept 'finger-wagging' over human rights.
No financial details were given on the Airbus deal but press reports in Germany said the framework agreement was worth more than seven billion euros ($10 billion).
Source : New Age
