German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to arrive in China for an official visit from February 25 to 26, marking a significant diplomatic debut following an invitation from Premier Li Qiang.
During the two-day stay, the German leader will engage in high-level discussions with both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the talks will center on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing shared global concerns.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning characterized the two nations as “all-round strategic partners,” noting that their cooperation has consistently “delivered tangibly for the two peoples.”
Beijing highlighted that as the world’s second and third-largest economies, the bond between China and Germany remains vital.
Ning emphasized that a “sound development” of these relations serves both nations’ interests and “is what the world expects to see.”
This trip is particularly noteworthy as it is Merz’s first visit to the country since he assumed the Chancellery in May 2025.
Merz follows a recent wave of Western diplomacy in Beijing, becoming the third major leader to visit in just six weeks, following January trips by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
While the two countries have shared a complex and “multifarious” relationship since establishing ties in 1972, China continues to view Germany as a cornerstone partner in Europe.
This engagement is guided by Germany’s 2023 Strategy on China, which balances the relationship by viewing Beijing as both a partner and a competitor.
The economic weight of this partnership is undeniable; China was Germany’s top trading partner for seven years straight through 2023 and remained its second-largest in 2024, with trade volumes reaching a staggering €245 billion.