Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble meets Chinese officials to discuss Olympic security issues and recommends a similar approach to Germany's during the 2006 World Cup.

Beijing -- German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble urged China on Tuesday to be open in handling political conflicts such as the controversy over Tibet as well as security for the Olympic Games.

Schaeuble told reporters in Beijing after his talks with Vice President Zhang Dejiang that he tried to convey that "openness is the best way to not let conflicts escalate."

He welcomed China's willingness to meet with the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.

Germany's interior minister also met with Sport Minister Liu Peng and Minister for Public Security Meng Jianzhu.

Schaeuble hopes to reach an agreement with Peng over cooperation in the area of sports medicine and science. Peng also shared Germany's thoughts on how it provided security for the 2006 World Cup, where a policy of openness and calmness were successful.

Germany's interior minister is on a three-day visit to China where he will also look to increase bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

DPA