BEIJING, Nov 18 (AFP) - President Roman Herzog of Germany arrived here Monday for a week-long official visit signifiying a return to normal relations after a row over Tibet.

Herzog, leading an 80-member delegation, was met at the airport by minister of personnel Song Defu and vice foreign minister Wang Yingfan, the official Xinhua news agency said.

It is the second visit to China by a German president since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1972 and the first since the German reunification.

Herzog is to meet President Jiang Zemin, Premier Li Peng and other leaders, Xinhua said.

Relations soured after the German parliament adopted a resolution in June criticising human rights in Tibet.

Beijing suspended an exchange of visits, including that of Foreign Minister Klus Kinkel to China, but after months of negotiations, accepted explanations from Bonn.

Kinkel was in Beijing last month to prepare Herzog's trip.

Germany is China's top economic partner in Europe and had been seen as a close political ally.

Herzog goes on to Nepal after China.