February 23, 2026

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will pay an official visit to China from February 25 to 26 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Monday.

Merz will be accompanied by a 30-person delegation during his trip to China, where strategic action is required there for Germany, according to German news outlet taz.de. 

Merz is set to become the latest European leader to visit China this year following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Taoiseach of Ireland Michael Martin. In December 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron made a trip to China, soon after Spain's King Felipe. With Merz's arrival, the European Franco-German-British troika, the traditional driving force of Europe, will have all made high-level visits to China within a short span of time.

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https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355611.shtml