GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL WILL HEAD TO CHINA NEXT MONTH FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT, DURING WHICH SHE WILL MEET CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO AND OTHER TOP CHINESE OFFICIALS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ON MONDAY. "IN BEIJING MERKEL WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER," THOMAS STEG TOLD REPORTERS. ECONOMY MINISTER MICHAEL GLOS WOULD BE JOINING MERKEL, ALONG WITH A DELEGATION OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS LEADERS. STEG SAID MERKEL WOULD VISIT SHANGHAI AND BEIJING DURING THE VISIT, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21-23, REUTERS REPORTED.
