German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded a visit to China’s eastern tech hub of Hangzhou on Thursday with meetings with the CEOs of Alibaba Group Holding and Unitree Robotics, signaling a renewed focus on technological collaboration between the two nations.
Merz had lunch with local entrepreneurs, including Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu Yongming and Unitree founder and CEO Wang Xingxing, according to China Central Television (CCTV), a Chinese state broadcaster. The meeting included a group photo with the business leaders. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
The German Chancellor met with representatives from ten Hangzhou-based companies specializing in artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, and electric vehicles (EVs). Attendees included Rokid, a start-up focused on AI glasses; BrainCo, a company innovating in brain-machine interfaces; and EV manufacturers Geely and Leapmotor.
A key moment of the visit involved a tour of Unitree Robotics, a prominent developer of humanoid robots. Wang Xingxing demonstrated the capabilities of Unitree’s robots, showcasing their ability to dance, box, and perform martial arts, as reported by CCTV. Following the demonstration, Wang stated on social media that he looked forward to “collaborating with global enterprises for mutual success.”
Merz also tested Rokid’s AI glasses, expressing “strong interest and appreciation for the product,” according to the Hangzhou-based company.
The visit to Hangzhou marked the end of Merz’s first official trip to China, and analysts suggest it reflects Germany’s intention to strengthen ties with China’s rapidly developing digital and robotics sectors. The trip is also expected to bolster Merz’s position ahead of a scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in early March, according to reports.
Germany has signaled a desire for closer tech ties with China following these executive meetings, as reported by Tech in Asia.