Xi Strengthens China-Germany Strategic Partnership During Merz Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Feb. 25, 2026 received German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing, urging stronger strategic communication and closer China-Germany ties as Merz leads a high-level trade delegation of about 30 senior company executives. They pledged cooperation on artificial intelligence, technology, talent flows and stable supply chains, issued a joint statement on candid dialogue, and discussed the Ukraine crisis and China-EU engagement.