German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to make his inaugural visit to China next week, aiming to strengthen trade and cooperation. The trip follows the Chinese New Year and will include meetings with Premier Li Qiang and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Merz, leading a significant business delegation, emphasized the necessity of global economic ties, stating, "We need economic relations with the entire world, and that, of course, includes a country like China." His agenda includes visits to historical sites like the Forbidden City and key industrial players, including Mercedes-Benz, robotics firm Unitree, and Siemens Energy.
The two-day visit will focus on striking "the right balance of cooperation" amidst escalating competition, particularly impacting Germany's automotive sector. This visit occurs as Germany navigates complex geopolitical waters, seeking to maintain robust ties with China while mitigating overreliance on its trade. Last year, China re-emerged as Germany's largest trading partner, surpassing the United States in bilateral trade volume.