Xi Jinping Meets with German Chancellor Merz

February 25, 2026, Source: “Xuexi Qiangguo” Learning Platform

On the afternoon of February 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Merkel, who was in China for an official visit, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xiang.

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 25 — On the afternoon of February 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Merkel, who was in China for an official visit, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Germany are the world’s second- and third-largest economies, respectively. The China-Germany relationship not only serves the interests of both countries but also has significant spillover effects on Europe and the world at large. At present, the international situation is undergoing the most profound transformation since the end of World War II. The more complex and turbulent the world becomes, the more urgently China and Germany need to strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual strategic trust, and continuously promote new developments in their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping put forward three suggestions for the future development of China-Germany relations. First, we should be reliable partners that support each other. Both China and Germany are firmly grounded in their own realities and are rapidly developing. By upholding mutual respect, mutual trust, and open cooperation, the two countries have written a success story of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. China adheres to the path of peaceful development and has both the capability and confidence to achieve Chinese-style modernization. We will continue to share development opportunities with all countries around the world, including Germany. We hope that the German side will view China’s development objectively and rationally, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work together with the Chinese side to ensure that China-Germany relations move forward steadily and sustainably.

Second, we must become open and mutually beneficial innovation partners. The German government has proposed a new development strategy in the fields of technology, innovation, and digitalization, which closely aligns with China’s development direction for the 15th Five-Year Plan period—namely, intelligentization, green development, and integration. Both sides should strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, support two-way flows of talent, knowledge, and technology between the two countries, and promote dialogue and cooperation in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence. Both sides must correctly understand the relationship between competition and cooperation, seek win-win collaboration paths, and jointly safeguard the stability and smooth functioning of industrial and supply chains.

Third, we should become cultural partners who understand and care for each other. Both China and Germany are major countries with profound cultural heritage. Both sides should strengthen mutual learning and exchange of civilizations, deepen people-to-people exchanges, and consolidate the popular foundation of China-Germany friendship.

Xi Jinping emphasized that, in the face of a world undergoing rapid and profound changes—a transformation unseen in a century—countries should stand together through thick and thin and share a common destiny. China and Germany should uphold the central role of the United Nations, revitalize its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, upholding international rule of law, defending free trade, and promoting solidarity and cooperation. China supports Europe’s efforts to achieve self-reliance and strength, and hopes that the European side will move toward China, remain committed to their status as strategic partners, adhere to openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, and thus achieve greater development in China-Europe relations and make even greater contributions to world peace and development.

On the afternoon of February 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Merkel, who was in China for an official visit, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yin Bogu.

Mertz expressed his delight at visiting China during the Chinese people’s joyful celebration of the Spring Festival and wished the Chinese people good fortune in the Year of the Horse. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and China, the two countries have maintained friendly exchanges and close cooperation, bringing benefits to their peoples. The German side highly values its relationship with China and firmly adheres to the One-China policy. We are willing to work together with the Chinese side to carry forward our longstanding tradition of friendship, uphold mutual respect and open cooperation, and continuously deepen our comprehensive strategic partnership. The German business community attaches great importance to the Chinese market and hopes to further strengthen cooperation with China, achieving mutual benefit and common development. The international situation is undergoing profound changes, and Germany and China share a significant responsibility to jointly address global challenges. The German side looks forward to strengthening coordination with the Chinese side, upholding free trade, and opposing protectionism. It is in the interests of both the European Union and China to develop reliable and enduring economic and trade relations, which would also contribute to global stability and prosperity. The German side supports enhanced dialogue and cooperation between Europe and China.

The leaders of the two countries exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi Jinping articulated China’s principled stance, emphasizing that the key lies in insisting on seeking a solution through dialogue and negotiation. It is essential to ensure that all parties participate on an equal footing and lay a solid foundation for peace; to ensure that the legitimate concerns of all parties are addressed and to enhance their willingness to pursue peace; and to ensure the realization of common security and the establishment of a lasting peace framework.

The two sides issued the “Joint Press Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Germany.”

Wang Yi attends the meeting. (Reporter Dong Xue)

Editor-in-charge: Ma Yingjuan