German Chancellor Merz to Meet Xi Jinping in China, Amid Planned Trump Visit

Friedrich Merz's Trip to China

According to Главком: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will make an official visit to China from February 24 to 26, 2026. His itinerary includes stops in Beijing and Hangzhou for meetings with Chinese leadership. On February 25 in Beijing, Chancellor Merz will be received by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Following a lunch, Merz will participate in a session of the German-Chinese Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs.

Key Events of the Visit

A central event of the trip will be a planned one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During this meeting, the two leaders are expected to discuss:

• Bilateral relations;
• Economic cooperation;
• Security issues.

As part of his tour, the Chancellor will also visit several industrial enterprises, including a Mercedes-Benz Group plant, the company Unitree, and Siemens Energy.

In a related diplomatic development, it has been reported that U.S. President Donald Trump plans to visit China for a three-day trip starting March 31 and concluding on April 2. These back-to-back visits underscore the complex and critical nature of international relations between Germany, China, and the United States. The timing highlights the ongoing strategic competition for influence with Beijing.

Friedrich Merz's visit to China represents a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between Germany and the PRC, particularly within the context of global economic challenges and security concerns.

Source: analytical review

The meeting with Xi Jinping could serve as a platform for discussing key areas of cooperation, especially in technology and industry. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's planned visit signals an intensification of U.S. foreign policy engagement in the region, which could substantially impact international relations and the global economic landscape.