BERLIN – Germany’s Siemens concern is still hoping to win approval for the export of a redundant plutonium plant to China, the company said Monday.

Chairman Heinrich von Pierer said the company saw no reason to withdraw its application despite an announcement from China last week that it has dropped plans to buy the plant at Hanau near Frankfurt.

Pierer said the application was still being examined by the German government. He was speaking during a visit to Siemens in Berlin by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Wen arrived in Germany Sunday when he attended a signing ceremony for a deal to build another Volkswagen auto plant in China.

On Monday, DaimlerChrysler said it has signed a deal with Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company for the assembly of 25,000 Mercedes C and E models a year in China.

Wen will be officially welcomed in Germany by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin on Monday evening. After his four-day stay in Berlin, he is to visit Brussels, Dublin and London.

DPA

Subject: German news