New Chinese premier makes first foreign trip to Europe as part of Beijing’s outreach

By GEIR MOULSON
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang has started a visit to Germany and France, his first trip abroad since taking office earlier this year. The visit comes as Europe seeks to balance concerns over economic dependence on China and about its stance toward Ukraine and Taiwan with a desire to engage Beijing on issues such as climate change. Li was received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday. On Tuesday, Li and a large delegation of Chinese ministers will meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and their German counterparts. Top officials from both sides also will meet business representatives. Li took office in March as China’s No. 2 official.