Merkel urges closer tech ties with rising IT giant China

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday urged closer high-tech cooperation with China as she opened a major IT business fair where the Asian giant is the official partner country. "German business values China not just as our most important trade partner outside of Europe but also as a partner in developing sophisticated technologies," she said. Merkel was speaking at the opening the CeBIT fair in the western city of Hanover, where more than 600 Chinese companies will exhibit their t