Xi ramps up push for strategic cooperation with Germany when meeting Merz
發佈日期: 2026-02-25 21:13
TVB News
President Xi Jinping has urged strategic cooperation during talks with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing earlier today.
Merz's chartered plane landed in Beijing in the late morning at the start of his two-day state visit to meet with Chinese leaders and German business executives.
Merz, on his inaugural visit to the country since taking office last May, is being accompanied by a large delegation of German industry chiefs, including those from Bayer, Siemens, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.
The chancellor has pressed for a fair economic playing field for German companies and said his government was encouraging Chinese firms to invest in Europe's largest economy.
At the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, President Xi Jinping told Merz that he attaches great significance to their bilateral ties, adding the two sides should strengthen strategic communication and mutual trust as the world becomes more turbulent and complex.
Xi also expressed willingness to press for new development in their partnership.
In a separate meeting with Premier Li Qiang, Merz said Berlin is eyeing deeper economic exchanges but has specific concerns on cooperation and wants to ensure that cooperation is fair. He further noted the two countries must "speak openly" with each other.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, Germany has long been China's largest trading partner and source of foreign investment in Europe.
The Foreign Ministry said bilateral economic cooperation has deepened steadily over the past 50 years and that Beijing stands ready to work with Berlin to promote high-quality trade and economic development through concrete actions.
