Published by: World Tibet Network News, Thursday, October 17, 1996

BEIJING, Oct 17 (AFP) - A Chinese official Thursday boosted hopes that an upcoming visit of German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel will repair Sino-German ties, frayed by Bonn's recent criticism of repression in Tibet.

"I think the visit will be a step forward for Sino-German relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang told a media briefing.

Germany's Bundestag on June 20 passed an all-party motion condemning Chinese policies in Tibet, prompting an infuriated Beijing to postpone Kinkel's visit, then scheduled for July 11.

In an indication that Beijing's indignation had subsided, Shen made only a passing reference to the Tibet issue, shifting quickly to more standard diplomatic themes of friendship.

"I think some problems have emerged between the two countries, but there have, of course, been improvements in other areas.

"In my view, the visit is to prepare for future visits by other German leaders," he said, adding that Kinkel and Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen would discuss bilateral relations as well as international problems that concern both countries.

German President Roman Herzog is scheduled to visit Beijing on November 18.