German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is heading to China for his first official visit since taking office in May, marking it as a critical strategic journey aimed at balancing competition with cooperation. The four-day trip, which begins on February 24, 2026, and concludes on the 27th, comes against the backdrop of strong bilateral economic ties worth €251.8 billion in trade last year—making China Germany’s largest trading partner for the first time since 2016.
During his visit to Beijing, Merz will be met by Premier Li Qiang and later meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Chancellor intends to discuss key areas of cooperation and competition between the two nations during this high-stakes trip. His itinerary includes visits to iconic sites such as China’s Forbidden City and a factory in Mercedes-Benz, a German automaker based in Beijing. Additionally, he will travel to Hangzhou to meet with Unitree, an influential Chinese robotics firm, and Siemens Energy, a turbine-maker.
In his remarks on social media, Merz expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming visit, stating: “May the Year of the Horse bring strength and new impetus to German-Chinese relations.” He emphasized that China’s resurgence as Germany’s top trading partner underscores the importance of maintaining economic relationships with all countries, including China. His commitment to bolstering Europe’s capabilities in both economic and military spheres is evident in his statement, which indicates a desire for establishing new trade partnerships globally.
This visit comes amid broader geopolitical shifts where traditional international norms are giving way to a system dominated by influential powers. Merz underscores the European Union’s responsibility to adapt its strategies accordingly. His visit thus represents Germany’s efforts to navigate these evolving global dynamics and forge robust economic and diplomatic ties with China, amidst shifting trade balances favoring other countries like the United States.