Merkel to push for more from Beijing on Sudan
27 August 2007
Intellectual property rights, climate change and human rights in Africa will top German Chancellor Angela Merkel's agenda during her visit to China, which starts on Monday, the Financial Times reported. Speaking before her departure, Merkel said she would press Beijing to use its influence to "combat the appalling human rights violations in Sudan's Darfur region." It is said that Merkel wants a clearer explanation from Beijing as to how it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and call for a more responsible attitude on intellectual property rights protection. She also plans to meet with activists and independent writers to discuss concerns about media and internet freedom in China. Meanwhile, the German magazine Der Spiegel has claimed that in recent months key government ministries and the chancellery were infected by spying programs launched by Chinese state-backed hackers.