Chinese Premier Welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Bridging both geographic and diplomatic distance, Merz took to X — the social media platform owned by the US-based company — to underscore the significance of the encounter. "Berlin and Beijing are nearly 7,500 kilometers apart. For many years, we have been very happy to bridge this distance. For me, it is very important to maintain and deepen our diplomatic and economic relations," he wrote.
"To achieve this goal, we need open channels of dialogue," Merz added following his meeting with Li, during which both sides formalized several agreements.
The visit marks Merz's first trip to the world's second-largest economy since assuming office last year. Ahead of his arrival, the Chinese Foreign Ministry characterized the two nations as "all-round strategic partners," with spokeswoman Mao Ning telling reporters that China and Germany have "accumulated successful practices of healthy competition and integrated development. China-Germany cooperation is mutually beneficial and brings tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries."
Merz is set to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the trip concludes, making him the third Western leader to visit China this year — after the Canadian and British prime ministers, both of whom made historically significant visits in January. He previously met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, and spoke with Xi by phone last May.
The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1972, upgrading their partnership to an "all-round strategic partnership" in 2014. That bond carries substantial economic weight: in 2024, China ranked as Germany's second-largest global trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting $201.88 billion, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
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