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Opinion
Merz’s China visit shows pragmatic diplomacy still matters
The German chancellor’s trip to Beijing suggests that Europe can de-risk from China while still pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation
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Professor Shen Wei is Qiushi Chair Professor at the School of Public Affairs at Zhejiang University, China.
When German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing for his first visit to China last week, it came at a moment of heightened geopolitical attention. With US President Donald Trump expected to visit Beijing in late March or early April, European leaders are watching closely for possible shifts in transatlantic relations and trade policy.
Against this anxious backdrop, Merz’s meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing offered something the global stage has been deeply lacking in recent times: a measure of pragmatic steadiness.
Discussions on de-risking from China have taken place in European capitals for several years, but a look at the itinerary for Merz’s visit suggests the reality is more nuanced. He did not limit himself to diplomatic talks in the capital; he also travelled to the tech hub of Hangzhou, touring the facilities of Chinese humanoid robot-maker Unitree and Siemens Energy, accompanied by executives from German firms such as Volkswagen and BMW.
The rationale of pursuing business ties and tech partnerships was straightforward. Doing so helps Berlin show its willingness to engage Beijing in hi-tech frontiers, while at the same time Germany recognises that Chinese industry is no longer just an option for low-cost manufacturing.
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