German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to make his inaugural visit to China next week, marking his first official engagement with the country since taking office as Europe’s largest economy. This visit comes at a time when major global powers are asserting their influence, and Chancellor Merz aims to position Germany within this evolving landscape strategically.
On Wednesday, he will be welcomed in Beijing by Premier Li Qiang and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as confirmed by government spokesperson Sebastian Hille. The agenda will also include a visit to Hangzhou in southeastern China. The overarching theme of this trip is “competition,” with a significant focus on achieving “the right balance of cooperation” with China. Hille emphasised the intention to foster collaboration where it is mutually beneficial and necessary.
In recent years, Germany has endeavoured to maintain strong diplomatic and trade relations with China, despite concerns regarding Beijing’s increasing assertiveness and its stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Concurrently, there has been a push to reduce dependency on Chinese trade by diversifying economic partnerships and securing key supply chains.
According to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office, China regained its status as Germany’s largest single trading partner last year, with bilateral trade reaching €251.8 billion. This follows a brief period in 2024 during which the United States held this title. While trade with China has grown, trade with the U.S. has declined to €240.5 billion.
Addressing the Christian Democratic Union in Stuttgart, Chancellor Merz emphasised the need for Germany to build robust business relationships globally, including with China. He acknowledged China’s significance as a trading partner and noted his intention to lead a substantial business delegation during his visit. While specific details about the delegation were not disclosed, he underscored the importance of recognising the complexities of engaging with China, particularly regarding its ambition to reshape the global multilateral order.
Chancellor Merz reiterated that the traditional rules-based international system is undergoing a significant transformation, giving rise to a new world order defined by major powers. He stressed that Europe must enhance its economic and military strength and actively pursue trade agreements with a broader array of partners.
It is also noteworthy that U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China in April.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
