Germany, China sign 24 agreements

Germany and China signed on Monday 24 agreements worth a total of 2.73 billion euros, during the fourth round of China-Germany intergovernmental consultation which kicked off in Beijing earlier today. 
The two countries agreed to help with disaster reduction as well as aid in the development of civil protections and mining in Afghanistan. 
Other agreements included cooperation in environmental protection, education, health, sustainable agriculture and new mobile networks, as well as in the rail, air and automotive industries. 
The two sides also agreed to establish a joint center for sustainable development to protect world's resources and fight against poverty. 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and co-chaired the talks on Monday morning in the presence of several Chinese and German ministers, including German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. 
"It is always important that our companies and also our cooperation projects have a safe rule-based environment," Merkel said at the opening of talks. 
"The dialogue on rule by law as well as the human rights dialogue are of great importance," she said. "Many legal areas are affected, including for consumers and public institutions". 
In a looming trade conflict over Europe's refusal to classify China as a market economy, the German Chancellor said that Germany would act as a mediator. 
"We remember our pledge," Merkel said, referring to protocols where China would be considered for classification as a market economy 15 years after its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001. 
The joint cabinet meetings happen every two years. Merkel arrived Sunday for the three-day visit.