BEIJING — There are many things that China and Germany do not see eye-to-eye on — notably Russia's war in Ukraine — but the leaders of the world's second and third largest economies nonetheless pledged Wednesday to work to deepen ties in an era of global turbulence.

Xi meets Merz, putting forward three suggestions for further development of China-Germany relations Chen Qingqing co-leads the Global Times China desk. She covers diplomacy, Hong Kong affairs and Chinese tech firms. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to make his first visit to China since taking office from February ...

Premier Li Qiang and Friedrich Merz both indicated they’d like relations between their nations to improve, as the German chancellor kicks off his first official visit to China — one that will be complicated by worries about trade and supplies of key minerals.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip will test his ability to address tensions between the countries, at a time of strain between Europe and Washington.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at the airport on February 24, 2026 before setting off his inaugural trip to China Photo: German government website “China has just celeb

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is traveling to China for a belated inaugural visit. A lot is at stake as Germany is in search of global partners after the US has relinquished much of its longstanding role.