Overview
- On a two‑day visit, the German chancellor held talks with Premier Li Qiang and met President Xi Jinping for dinner to focus on economic ties and security concerns.
- Merz told reporters Chinese leaders would order up to 120 Airbus aircraft, offering no details on models or timing and providing no independent confirmation.
- He called for fair competition and a more balanced partnership, signaling he will raise grievances over market access, subsidies and the reliability of rare‑earth supplies.
- Traveling with the chiefs of Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes, he attended a Mercedes autonomous‑vehicle presentation and is visiting Hangzhou’s Unitree Robotics and Siemens Energy.
- Germany’s trade deficit with China rose to about €89 billion in 2025, European industry has faced Chinese export curbs and intensifying competition, and more Western leaders are visiting Beijing with a Trump trip expected in late March.