Merz in China: German chancellor, Xi seek more cooperation

DW News · Feb 25, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Skip next section RECAP — What were Wednesday's highlights, what's still to come? February 25, 2026RECAP — What were Wednesday's highlights, what's still to come? After dining with Xi on Thursday evening, Merz made comments to reporters before concluding his businessImage: Michael Kappeler/dpa/picture allianceAt least barring unforeseen developments in the coming hours while most of China is fast asleep, we'll be putting our coverage on hold for a few hours now. So let's take stock of the arguably banner day of Chancellor Merz's first trip to the world's second-largest economy since taking office: Merz held talks with both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, saying he hoped to enhance cooperation "wherever it's possible" He dined with each of China's top-ranking politicians, sharing lunch with Li and dinner with Xi, both of whom reciprocated calls for improved bilateral ties The chancellor said China was planning another major order from Airbus, that could end up involving up to 120 aircraft He described China's rapidly rising trade surplus with Germany, which has roughly quadrupled since 2020, as "not healthy" Merz urged China to bring its influence on Moscow to bear in efforts to halt the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and also warned against any efforts to claim Taiwan by military means As for what's on the docket for Thursday in China, here are a few points of potential interest: Merz will visit the Forbidden City in Beijing He will also attend an autonomous vehicle demonstration organized by Mercedes He will later travel on to the tech hub Hangzhou with the large accompanying business delegation that's in tow https://p.dw.com/p/59PUASkip next section Xi comments on Ukraine in domestic press give little awayFebruary 25, 2026Xi comments on Ukraine in domestic press give little awayChinese state news agency Xinhua carried a brief response from Xi to Merz's call for China to bring its influence to bear on Moscow in a bid to bring an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to Xinhua, Xi told the German chancellor that diplomacy was "key to the issue" of halting the war with open Russian participation, which entered its fifth year as of Tuesday. "Xi noted the necessity of ensuring the equal participation of all parties to lay a solid foundation for peace, [and] addressing the legitimate concerns of all sides to strengthen the will for peace," Xinhua wrote. Both Russia and Ukraine have at times complained that their voices and grievances are not adequately heard or taken into account in the various efforts at diplomacy in recent years. Representatives from the US, Russia and Ukraine are scheduled for more meetings on Thursday in Geneva. https://p.dw.com/p/59PSzSkip next section Merz raised difficult issues amid talks with Li, Berlin indicatesFebruary 25, 2026Merz raised difficult issues amid talks with Li, Berlin indicatesWith Wednesday's business in Beijing winding down, Reuters news agency cites German government sources as saying that Merz raised some trickier economic topics directly in his talks with Premier Li Qiang. "The chancellor brought up trade restrictions, the rapidly rising trade deficit, currency questions and rare earths during his discussion with Li," Reuters cited its sources as saying. "It was made clear that China must also deliver if it wants to reinforce its image as a partner that sticks to the rules." This phrasing could be interpreted both as a nod to the Trump administration in the US and to China's recent allusions to itself as a reliable partner, which have largely been seen as a bid to contrast the often-changing trade stance coming from the White House in recent weeks and months. Raising these questions with Li rather than President Xi Jinping could be because Li's role is nominally more closely concerned with domestic and economic policy and day-to-day government operations than his superior Xi's more overarching position as head of state. Merz said in Beijing that although "our political systems are fundamentally different" and "both sides are aware that we can also reach differing positions on important questions," Germany and China could nevertheless cooperate to mutual benefit in many areas. "That demands patience and above all it demands dialogue," Merz said. https://p.dw.com/p/59PSHSkip next section Mercedes welcomes trip to one of its 'most important markets'February 25, 2026Mercedes welcomes trip to one of its 'most important markets'Mercedes-Benz has lauded Merz's trip to "one of the most important markets" for the company and the car industry as a whole, seemingly encouraging more political engagement between Berlin and Beijing. German carmakers' difficulties in 2025 were attributable in very large part to deteriorating performance in their two main export markets, the United States and China. "From Mercedes-Benz's perspective as well, personal exchange remains highly important in promoting mutual understanding and continuing to work on maintaining positive economic relations," a company spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the German government was demonstrating "that bilateral exchange and the cultivation of political and economic relations between the countries are a high priority." Merz said on Wednesday that a new date for the next set of bilateral government-level consultations would be announced soon. He also said he planned regular visits to China as chancellor. "I place high value on maintaining and also deepening these [ties], wherever it's possible," he said during his meeting with Premier Li Qiang. https://p.dw.com/p/59PNiSkip next section DOCUMENTARY: Economic powerhouse, risky partner?February 25, 2026DOCUMENTARY: Economic powerhouse, risky partner?Looking for a longer exploration of modern China, how state planning is accelerating modernization, and how it's using key materials like rare earths to create systemic dependencies? Interested in its bid to increase its already sizeable footprint in Europe, often using Viktor Orban's Hungary as a base, and an analysis of how dependent on China Germany has really become? If so, take a look at this featured long video "Economic Powerhouse China — A Risky Partner?" Experts from Europe, the US and China also provide insights and answers on how China stacks up against the United States, the other global superpower it has emerged to challenge in recent decades. Economic powerhouse China — a risky partner? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59PEhSkip next section Taiwan: Any 'reunification' efforts can only be peaceful, not military in natureFebruary 25, 2026Taiwan: Any 'reunification' efforts can only be peaceful, not military in natureMerz also told reporters in Beijing that he had raised the issue of Taiwan during his talks. He said that Germany's China politics remained unchanged. In other words, this means that Germany — like almost every major country on the planet — continues to adhere to the "one China" principle Beijing insists on that formally recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of Chinese territory and does not recognize Taiwan as a fully-fledged state. Holding this position is a precondition for having full diplomatic relations with China; even Taiwan's most important ally the US keeps to it. However, Merz also issued a warning against any efforts to take Taiwan by military force, a possibility Beijing has never ruled out if also a path it has never pursued against the democratic island nation. "Any attempt at a reunification or unification between China and Taiwan can only succeed via peaceful means and not with military action," he said. Taiwan holds military drills amid tensions with China To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59OsUSkip next section Ukraine: Merz says China's 'words and deeds' are taken very seriously in MoscowFebruary 25, 2026Ukraine: Merz says China's 'words and deeds' are taken very seriously in MoscowMerz said that he'd addressed foreign policy questions with Xi as well. He said that China's "words and deeds" were taken very seriously in Moscow. "Therefore, I have asked my interlocutors today to exert their influence to bring an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine," Merz said, a day after the full-blown conflict in eastern Europe entered its fifth year. Merz also said that China should not sell so-called dual use goods to Russia that could be put to military use against people in Ukraine. Dual use goods is a term for any equipment or materials that can have both civilian and military uses. Chinese, Russian and North Korean leaders meet in BeijingTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59OrQSkip next section Merz announces major new Chinese Airbus orderFebruary 25, 2026Merz announces major new Chinese Airbus orderChina will buy up to 120 additional aircraft from European aviation giant Airbus, Merz said in Beijing following his meeting with Xi Jinping. "The Chinese leadership will be ordering a large number of additional aircraft from Airbus. The total order will include up to 120 additional aircraft," Merz said, adding that it "demonstrates how worthwhile such trips can be." Merz did not identify what types of aircraft China planned to purchase or when, questions that can often be flexible in an industry with such considerable production and delivery lead times. Other contracts were also in the pipeline, Merz said. Aviation sees a new battle in the skiesTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59OXtSkip next section Fast-growing trade imbalance 'not healthy,' Merz tells reportersFebruary 25, 2026Fast-growing trade imbalance 'not healthy,' Merz tells reportersMerz brought up the issue