German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is traveling to China and Japan this week to discuss business ties and the European Union's arms embargo against China.
Mr. Schroeder, who is making his sixth visit to China, is to meet Monday in Beijing with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. He will see President Hu Jintao on Tuesday.
The German chancellor opposes the European Union's continuing ban on weapons sales to China, imposed after Beijing's bloody crackdown 15 years ago on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square. His stand has been criticized by opponents in Germany, and the European Parliament renewed the sanctions last month.
The arms embargo has strained contacts between China and the European Union, which otherwise have good trade and diplomatic relations.
Mr. Schroeder will travel to Tokyo on Wednesday for two days of talks with with Japanese officials.
Some information for this story provided by AFP and AP.