Beijing, February 23, 2026 – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will undertake an official visit to China from February 25 to 26, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced today.
The visit marks Merz’s first trip to China since assuming the chancellorship and comes as Germany navigates a complex economic relationship with the world’s second-largest economy. According to a government spokesperson, Sebastian Hille, the trip’s central theme will be “competition,” with a focus on achieving “the right balance of cooperation.”
During his visit, Merz is scheduled to meet with both Premier Li Qiang and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. He will also travel to Hangzhou, a major economic and technological hub in southeastern China.
Germany and China have maintained significant trade ties despite growing geopolitical tensions and differing perspectives on issues such as the war in Ukraine. Recent data from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office indicates that China regained its position as Germany’s largest trading partner in 2023, with bilateral trade totaling 251.8 billion euros ($297 billion). This surpassed the United States, which had briefly held the top spot in 2024, with trade volume reaching 240.5 billion euros.
The visit follows a meeting between Premier Li Qiang and Chancellor Merz in Johannesburg on November 23, 2025, where Li Qiang emphasized the importance of mutual respect and win-win cooperation in the bilateral relationship. Li Qiang also expressed China’s readiness to enhance strategic communication with Germany and deepen practical cooperation in areas such as modern energy, smart manufacturing, biomedicine, hydrogen energy technology, and autonomous driving.
China has urged Germany to maintain a “rational and pragmatic policy” towards China, avoiding external interference and focusing on shared interests to consolidate the foundation for cooperation. The upcoming meetings are expected to address these issues and explore opportunities for strengthening economic ties while navigating areas of potential friction.