German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to the Chinese mainland this week underscores deepening economic ties between the world's second- and third-largest economies. His trip follows a wave of European diplomatic engagement, with leaders from France, Ireland, Finland, and the United Kingdom having visited China since November 2025.
Economic Anchors in Turbulent Times
Bilateral trade reached $292 billion in 2025, maintaining China's position as Germany's largest trading partner for the third consecutive year. CGTN survey data reveals 90.2% of respondents view China's market as critical for German enterprises, while 83.6% see stable China-Germany relations as vital for broader EU cooperation.
Global Governance Partnerships
The nations' collaboration extends beyond commerce, with 79.8% of surveyed participants emphasizing joint responsibility to uphold multilateral trade systems. Climate innovation partnerships have doubled since 2023, particularly in renewable energy storage and carbon capture technologies.
Middle Powers Shape New World Order
With 95.2% of respondents identifying middle powers as key multilateralism advocates, the China-Germany relationship demonstrates how major economies can navigate geopolitical shifts. Recent agreements on AI governance frameworks and supply chain digitization highlight practical cooperation areas.
The CGTN global survey, gathering 12,990 responses within 24 hours, shows 91.6% support for middle-power alliances driving governance reform. As Chancellor Merz meets Chinese leaders this week, observers anticipate new agreements on quantum computing partnerships and sustainable infrastructure financing models.
