German Chancellor Angela Merkel wrapped up her China visit on Tuesday, pledging closer trade links between the two countries.

Merkel arrived in China's financial hub of Shanghai on Monday night, continuing her first visit to China since she came to power in November 2005.

Accompanied by Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan, Merkel on Tuesday rode the world's only commercially operating maglev (magnetic levitation) rail line built with German technology.

During a meeting with Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, Merkel said Germany would enhance trade cooperation with China and she expected more Chinese enterprises to invest in Germany.

China and Germany have carried out fruitful cooperation in various fields, including politics, economy and trade, culture, sports, technology and environmental protection.

The bilateral trade volume in 2005 reached 63.2 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for nearly one-third of the trade volume between China and the European Union. Germany is China's largest EU trading partner.

Merkel said Germany would participate in the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, represented by German conglomerates such as Volkswagon and Siemens.

Merkel also visited on Tuesday the Cathedral of St. Ignatius, the largest Catholic church in Shanghai.

Shen Baozhi, secretary of the Shanghai parish of the church, said he believes the current visit would help Merkel gain an insight into the development of the Catholic Church in Shanghai and the religious life of Chinese people.

Source: Xinhua