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.

Merkel's second trip to Beijing reflects China's growing importance as Europe's leaders grapple with the impact of economic turmoil in the eurozone, said AFP. Germany has come under intense pressure to do more to put an end to the crisis.

The two countries have sealed a batch of agreements this year with emphasis on clean energy cooperation, said Lian Yuru, a professor at Peking University's School of International Studies.

China can benefit from German advanced technology in fields including solar energy while boosting Germany's clean energy industry and flagging economy, Lian said.

During the upcoming consultations, Merkel will urge both sides to continue improving the investment environment for each other, Chinese media quoted German government spokesman Steffen Seiber as saying.

The intergovernmental consultations, the first such mechanism China has established with another country, show that bilateral ties with Germany have been developed ahead of relations between China and other European countries, said Gu Junli, an expert on European studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Gu added that seven ministers are scheduled to attend these consultations.

In addition to mutual interests, the personal friendship between Merkel and Wen has greatly strengthened bilateral ties, he said, referring to Merkel's previous cultural activities in China. She visited Nanluoguxiang, a traditional street in Beijing, in February, and the Museum of Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province, in 2010, accompanied by Wen.

"I guess Merkel aims to make full use of her friendship with Wen to further accelerate China-Germany relations before China's power transition at the end of this year and Germany's election next year," he added.

China Daily-AFP

(China Daily 08/24/2012 page10)