China offers ‘stable, constructive’ partnership with Germany after Friedrich Merz’s election win

Beijing is projecting itself as a reliable force to help inject ‘new vitality’ into China-EU relations as transatlantic relations wobble

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Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz speaks at party headquarters in Berlin on Sunday after exit poll results were announced for the 2025 general election. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:17pm, 24 Feb 2025

China on Monday said it was eager to continue working with the federal government of Germany to consolidate and develop bilateral ties following Friedrich Merz’s win in Sunday’s Bundestag election.

“Given the significant global influence of Germany and the European Union, China would like to see them play important roles in global affairs, and support European integration and the EU’s strategic autonomy,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

The comments come in the wake of provocative moves from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which have stirred unease and apprehension about the stability of transatlantic relations.

The administration has said that Europeans should take care of their own security, and reduce dependence on the United States. The White House has also pushed forward talks with Russia aimed at resolving the three-year war in Ukraine without the participation of European nations or Ukraine.

After the vote on the weekend, Merz, a staunch supporter of transatlantic ties and leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration was indifferent to Europe’s fate and questioned whether Nato would remain in its “current form” by June.

“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” he said on Sunday.