German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded a two-day visit to China on Wednesday, September 5, 2026, seeking to strengthen bilateral relations despite acknowledged challenges. The trip marks Merz as the first foreign government leader to be welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping following the start of the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse.
During the visit, both leaders emphasized the importance of the relationship between Germany and China. Xi Jinping expressed his appreciation for Germany’s “pragmatic” China policy and stated his willingness to perform with Merz to elevate the “comprehensive strategic partnership” to “a new level.” This comes as China seeks to reassure international partners amid shifting global dynamics.
Xi Expects “New Level”
Xi Jinping told Merz he highly valued the relationship with Germany, praising the German government’s “pragmatic” approach to China. He expressed a desire to collaborate with the Chancellor to bring the “comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany” to “a new level.”
Merz, prior to the trip, acknowledged the necessitate to mitigate risks in doing business with China while stressing the importance of maintaining access to the Chinese market. He called for “fair and transparent competition” and adherence to agreed-upon rules, highlighting concerns about “systemic overcapacity, export restrictions, and access restrictions” that distort competition.
Also Customs Policy and Ukraine on Agenda
Key topics during Merz’s visit included Germany’s reliance on China for raw materials and rare earth metals, as well as the pursuit of fairer competitive conditions in the Chinese market. Discussions also extended to U.S. Customs policies, the war in Ukraine, and other international conflicts. “We share a common responsibility in the world and should jointly fulfill that responsibility,” Merz stated.
Merz is the latest in a series of Western leaders to engage with Beijing in recent months, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. China’s appeal as a trade partner has increased due to the unpredictable trade policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is also scheduled to visit China at the end of March.
“Realignment of German Economic Policy”
ORF correspondent Alexandra Siebenhofer provides context for the German Chancellor’s visit to China, focusing on the implications for export-oriented countries like Germany and Austria given volatile trade relations with the United States.
“We Wish Chinese Companies”
Looking ahead, Merz expressed hope for increased Chinese investment in Germany. “We want Chinese investment in Germany. We want jobs in Germany with Chinese investment,” he said following a German-Chinese economic forum with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He believes there is “great potential for further growth” in both economies.
Several government agreements were signed in Beijing during the visit, including continued cooperation in combating climate change. Agreements were also reached to resume German pork exports, which were halted in 2020 due to African swine fever, and to facilitate trade in chicken claws.
Merz indicated that several German companies are poised to secure contracts, though these are not yet finalized. China also signaled its intention to order 120 aircraft from European aerospace giant Airbus.
“Thaw, Not Spring”
Despite the positive developments, a major breakthrough during Merz’s visit was not anticipated, according to Reuters, citing government sources. The goal of the trip was not to “return to Berlin with a full cornucopia.” The agency described the situation as a “thaw,” but not a “new German-Chinese spring.”
