German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to arrive in China today for a three-day official visit. While here she is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, as well as attend a number of economic events. Her visit comes at a time of concern over economic issues and protests in Hong Kong, as Natalie Carney reports from Germany.

Cars, electric vehicles to be exact, one of the most promising sectors between the two economic partners. While China presents the largest EV consumer market in the world, Germany presents some of the best minds behind its development. Chinese car manufacturer NIO has been tapping into that know-how with close to 200 employees in Munich. Zhang Hui is the company's Vice President for Europe and the Vice-Chair of the Chinese chamber of commerce in Germany. He will be one of the many businessmen heading to China for Chancellor Merkel's visit.

ZHANG HUI, VICE CHAIRMAN CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN GERMANY "2018 the bilateral trade number was 200 billion euros. So it's actually another new hight between both countries. And China stays the biggest trade partner for Germany. On the other hand, Germany is the biggest trade partner for China in Europe. And besides that, both countries are very much in favour of free trade and globalisation."

NATALIE CARNEY MUNICH "This will be Merkel's 12th visit to China since she became chancellor in 2005, proving the importance she places on their mutually beneficial bilateral relations. As in previous years, she is expected to continue dialogue with Beijing on an EU/ China investment treaty, which many hope can be achieved by the time Germany takes over the rotating six-month presidency of in the second half of next year."

With Brexit looming and the threat of Europe's own trade war with the US, Germany has called for a unified stance from all EU nations in regards to their handling of China to further secure economic ties. Yet, foreign investment regulations, protests in Hong Kong and security issues with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei keep many EU nations cautious about becoming too close with Beijing, says China expert Omar Serrano.

OMAR SERRANO CHINA EXPERT "We do see some areas where there is potential for cooperation like Climate change and so on, where clearly both countries see eye to eye or you know, the nuclear deal with Iran, but, of course, there are other areas that there are really concerns, we mentioned Hong Kong protests, I think that is one issue I think Merkel will certainly bring up. The priority I think is on the economic side though."

And that's where the strength in their mutually beneficial relationship lies, says Mr. Zhang.

ZHANG HUI, VICE CHAIRMAN THE CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN GERMANY "There is more and more Chinese so-called FDI, so foreign direct investment into Germany, especially in the automotive industry. On the other hand, Germany invested in China even last year over 500 FDI projects. We need each other and we live with each other."

While in China, Ms. Merkel is expected to meet with the Chinese President and Premier, and with a large business delegation, take part in talks with the China-Germany Economic Advisory Committee. Natalie Carney, CGTN, Munich.