German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded a two-day visit to China on February 26, accompanied by 30 senior executives from leading German corporations. During the visit, Merz and President Xi Jinping reaffirmed both nations' commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The high-level delegation underscores Germany's strategic focus on maintaining economic ties with China despite broader geopolitical uncertainties affecting European-Chinese relations.
China-Germany bilateral trade totaled $292 billion in 2025, reflecting the significant economic interdependence between the two nations. The visit highlighted emerging opportunities in technology partnerships, with automotive manufacturer BMW announcing plans to integrate DeepSeek's artificial intelligence technology into its vehicle systems. Such collaboration demonstrates the expanding scope of commercial engagement beyond traditional trade sectors.
Official statements from both sides emphasized the visit's role in promoting stability in China-Europe relations and advancing cooperation on global governance matters. The engagement comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over trade relationships and technology partnerships between China and Western nations, positioning the bilateral dialogue as a stabilizing factor in international economic relations.