German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing this week for his first official visit to China, joining a wave of European leaders prioritizing dialogue with the world's second-largest economy. With France, Ireland, Finland, and the UK's leaders also making trips since late 2025, the moves signal a ‘cooperation over confrontation’ mindset amid global uncertainties. 📈
Trade Titans Team Up
China-Germany trade hit $292B in 2025 – a 2.1% jump – solidifying their status as each other’s top partners. Over 90% of respondents in a CGTN survey say Germany’s businesses can’t afford to miss China’s massive market opportunities. 💼
Beyond Business: Climate & Tech
From green energy to AI governance, the two nations are aligning on global challenges. A striking 83.6% of those polled believe stable China-Germany relations are crucial for steering EU-China collaboration. 🌱🔋
Multipolar Momentum
With 79.8% of respondents backing joint efforts to defend free trade, Merz’s visit underscores a shared vision: middle powers like Germany and China are rewriting the rules of global governance. Over 95% see such partnerships as key to countering unilateralism. 🌍✨
The CGTN survey gathered 12,990 responses across five languages in 24 hours – proving this isn’t just diplomatic talk, but a public mandate.
