Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, urged Germany and China to act as “reliable and innovative” partners during a high-level meeting in Beijing with newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who began his first official visit to China since taking office.
The talks, held at the Great Hall of the People, focused on deepening the China-Germany all-around strategic partnership at a time when Xi described the international landscape as undergoing “the most profound transformations since the end of World War II.”
According to a readout from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, Xi told Merz:
“The greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for our two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership.”
Xi highlighted the global significance of bilateral ties, noting that China and Germany are the world’s second- and third-largest economies, respectively, and that their relationship “has a significant impact on Europe and the world.” He emphasized the need for both nations to “tackle challenges together and pursue a shared future” as “changes not seen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace.”
Xi specifically stressed the central role of the United Nations and called on China and Germany to jointly safeguard multilateralism, uphold international rule of law, defend free trade, and promote solidarity and coordination. He expressed China’s support for Europe’s pursuit of greater “autonomy and strength,” while advocating for “openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation” to advance China-Europe relations and contribute to global peace and development.
The Chinese leader proposed three guiding principles for the future of bilateral relations:
- Reliable partners that support each other.
- Innovative partners featuring openness and mutual benefit.
- Cultural partners built on mutual understanding and friendship.
Chancellor Merz, who arrived in Beijing earlier on Wednesday for the two-day visit, is the first German chancellor to visit China since the 2021 election cycle. The visit comes amid efforts by Merz’s coalition government to recalibrate Germany’s China policy—balancing economic interdependence with greater strategic autonomy and reduced dependency in critical sectors such as technology, critical minerals, and supply chains.
Diplomatic relations between China and Germany were established in 1972 and upgraded to an all-around strategic partnership in 2014. In 2024, bilateral trade reached $201.88 billion, making China Germany’s second-largest global trading partner after the United States.
The meeting reflects both sides’ interest in maintaining high-level dialogue despite differences over issues such as human rights, trade imbalances, market access, and geopolitical alignments—particularly regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine and tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
No major new agreements were announced immediately following the talks, but both leaders underscored the importance of continued cooperation in areas including economy, technology, climate change, and global governance.
Merz’s visit is expected to include additional meetings with Premier Li Qiang and other senior officials, as well as business engagements aimed at reinforcing economic ties while addressing German concerns about fair competition and reciprocity.
The visit occurs against a backdrop of heightened global uncertainty, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, US-China strategic rivalry, and Europe’s push for greater defense and economic sovereignty.
