Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping, China’s Vice President and internally selected successor to Hu Jintao, gave two books as gifts to Chancellor Angela Merkel when he met with her. The two books were written by Jiang Zemin; they were on energy and information technology; and they had been translated into English. Xi also passed Jiang’s regards and wishes to her [Ed: Jiang has no prior personal or official relationship with Chancellor Angela Merkel: she was elected in 2005, while Jiang retired in 2004]. Xinhua also reported that when he met with German President Horst Koehler, Xi passed Hu Jintao’s regards to him.
Sources:
1. Xinhua, October 13, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-10/13/content_12219581.htm
2. Xinhua, October 13, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-10/13/content_12219586.htm