China has voiced interest in buying a German factory built to produce plutonium for power stations, German government sources say

China has voiced interest in buying a German factory built to produce plutonium for power stations, German government sources say, as Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder continues a visit to the country. The sources, travelling with Schroeder, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had expressed interest in the plant during his talks with Schroeder. The chancellor promised to study the request, the sources added. On Tuesday, Schroeder flew to southern and western China on the second leg of a three-day visit to China focused on boosting economic relations. The plant at Hanau, western Germany, was constructed in 1991 by the German electronics group Siemens at a cost then of 700 million euros (837.3 million dollars), but never went into operation and still lies idle. The factory, designed to produce fuel elements from plutonium, is estimated to be worth around 50 million euros today. Its owner Siemens had previously offered to export the complete facility to Russia in mid-2001, but the plan sparked political concern and was eventually dropped. Schroeder is on his fifth visit to China in as many years. He spoke on Monday with Chinese President Hu Jintao as well as with Premier Wen.