BERLIN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel left here Sunday for China on a brief visit in which the chancellor is expected to discuss with Chinese leaders international and trade issues.

    Merkel, on her first visit to China since she became German chancellor, will call on China to play a bigger role in solving international issues, including the nuclear crisis in Iran and the disputes in Sudan.

    The chancellor is also expected to talk with Chinese leaders on bilateral trade as she was accompanied by her Economics Minister Michael Glos and a 45-member business delegation.

    Among the business deals expected to be finalized during the visit, Lufthansa is set to put the finishing touches on Air China's admission to the Star Alliance network of airlines.

    The chancellor is due to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and Pemier Wen Jiabao on Monday before flying to Shanghai on Tuesday where she is scheduled to make a speech at the German Chamber of Commerce.

    Germany is China's largest economic and trade partner in Europe, and China is Germany's biggest trading partner in Asia. Enditem