Merkel visits China

German Chancellor Angela Merkel began her three-day visit to China by speaking to the media.

She said she spoke with Chinese leaders over the Iran sanctions.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL SAYING:

"I will advocate, that if Europe for example imposes sanctions (on Iran), that China still uses the influence it has to tell Iran that we do not need and cannot allow another power with nuclear weapons."

She added that she hopes the U.N. Security Council can pass a unanimous resolution on the matter.

Merkel also pressed China to improve protection of intellectual property rights.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL SAYING:

"We of course need to have effective protection of intellectual property rights. Entrepreneurs keep saying that in order to have a dynamic development in China, there needs to be access to appropriate funding. I think we have achieved significant progress, but on my trip we will also talk about issues that still need to be resolved."

In between her political meetings, Merkel visited an old part of Beijing.

Many tourists followed her around in the historical area for half an hour before she departed.

Sophia Soo, Reuters.