German Chancellor Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met back in July 2014 in China./ Source from Xinhua News Agency

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By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay an official visit to China from Oct 29 to 30 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to boost bilateral economic cooperation. Her visit comes after a high profile visit to Britain by Chinese President Xi Jinping, reflecting Germany's active determination to become China's leading partner for economic cooperation among European countries.

According Western sources in Beijing on Monday, the visit of the chancellor is likely to boost bilateral economic cooperation in manufacturing and other innovative industries. It is clearly likely considering German Ambassador to China Michael Clauss' recent interview with Chinese media outlet, where he expressed strong hope for cooperation and combination between China's 'Made in China 2025' strategy and Germany's "Industry 4.0" project.

Specifically, Germany is expected to cooperate on China's "One Belt, One Road" (land and maritime silk roads) project. Since Germany doesn't want to fall behind rival Britain, it is likely to actively express its willingness to participate. It goes same with infrastructure field. Since China lacks experience, there might be cooperation where German experience and technology are transferred.

But the most feasible sector would be manufacturing field. It is highly possible considering Volkswagen AG CEO Matthias Mueller, who is in a tight situation due to the recent scandal, is joining Merkel on trip to China.

Chancellor Merkel is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, to discuss issues of the two countries. Not impossibly, Germany may criticize Japan, who is not admitting its mistake in the past history. Germany seems ready to comfort China if it can improve relations with China.