China, Germany sign helicopter, car plant deals

Chinese and German companies signed a number of agreements in Beijing on Monday, for deals including buying helicopters from Germany and setting up a new automobile manufacturing base in China, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel witnessed the signing of several contracts, the report said.
Air China signed an agreement with its Star Alliance partner German airline Lufthansa. The two sides agreed to establish a new manufacturing base for FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd. They also decided to build an "ecopark" in Qingdao that will showcase energy-efficient buildings.
Merkel arrived in China on Sunday for a three-day visit.