China, Germany sign environmental agreement

Energy and environment were the key issues discussed when President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday, state media reported. The parties signed an agreement establishing two working groups on environmental technology and energy. "Environment, energy efficiency and green technology are the focus of our cooperation," said Wen. Other topics on Merkel's agenda also include human rights, food safety and intellectual property rights. Merkel said China needed to follow the "rules of the game" on these issues as it develops. Merkel plans to visit Nanjing on Wednesday before continuing to Japan.