Merz Seeks Deeper Germany–China Ties Amid Global Tensions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday said he aims to deepen economic and diplomatic relations with China, stressing the need for cooperation in a period of rising global tensions.

Speaking alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the start of his inaugural two-day visit to Beijing, Merz said he attaches “great importance” to maintaining and expanding bilateral relations wherever possible.

He emphasised closer coordination at the European level, noting that both sides share global responsibilities and that there is significant potential for further growth.

Li described relations with Germany as stable and called for the protection of multilateralism and free trade amid increasing unilateralism and protectionism in some parts of the world.

Advertisement

Five intergovernmental agreements were signed during the meeting, covering cooperation in climate change, combating animal diseases, and partnerships between the two countries’ football and table tennis associations.

Merz was received with military honours at the Great Hall of the People and is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the visit.

Discussions are expected to focus on economic ties and security issues, including Russia’s war in Ukraine. Concerns over fair competition are also high on the agenda.

German companies have urged Merz to address industrial overcapacity and export controls on critical raw materials. China overtook the United States as Germany’s largest trading partner in 2025.

Advertisement

German carmakers have expressed concerns about competition from Chinese firms benefiting from domestic subsidies and differences in market access conditions.

Export restrictions introduced last year on rare earth minerals, essential for products such as electric motors and mobile devices, have further strained relations.

Merz, accompanied by a delegation of senior business leaders, is also scheduled to visit the southern city of Hangzhou.

Ahead of his trip, he cautioned against economic decoupling from China, warning that severing ties would harm Germany’s economic prospects without enhancing global security.

Germany has long criticised Beijing’s position on Russia’s war in Ukraine, with Merz expressing hope that China could play a constructive role in ending the conflict.