Beijing, 27 May 2026
China and Germany are trying to keep their economic relationship stable while redefining the terms of competition. Beijing’s readout highlights cooperation, complementarity and new opportunities in emerging sectors, while Berlin stresses fair conditions and mutual benefit — signalling a pragmatic search for “coopetition” between two major trading partners whose industries remain deeply connected but increasingly exposed to strategic rivalry.
Chinese vice premier calls on China, Germany to tap cooperation potential in emerging fields – Xinhua
Beijing, 27 May 2026
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has called on China and Germany to further consolidate the foundation of traditional cooperation and tap the potential for cooperation in emerging fields.
He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Germany’s economy and energy minister Katherina Reiche and German business representatives in Beijing on Wednesday.
The two sides exchanged views on deepening China-Germany economic and trade cooperation. He said China and Germany are important economic and trade partners to each other, and bilateral economic and trade cooperation has a solid foundation with enormous potential and strong complementarity. The vice premier expressed the hope that both sides will promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations through high-level cooperation.
Noting that Germany is a reliable economic and trade partner for China, Reiche said the German economic community is confident about China’s economic prospects and innovation capabilities, and will continue to deepen cooperation with the country.
Source – Government of Germany
Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs aims at “competition for mutual benefit”
Beijing, 27 May 2026
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche has departed on a trip to China. In Beijing and Canton, she is holding political talks, visiting companies and exchanging views on possible economic cooperation. The most important points about the trip at a glance.
The meeting between Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche and China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, focused on trade relations.
German-Chinese economic and trade relations are extensive. With foreign trade turnover of more than 250 billion euros, the People’s Republic was again Germany’s most important trading partner in 2025 — as it had already been from 2016 to 2023.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche has travelled to China to visit Beijing and the southern Chinese economic metropolis of Canton until 29 May. “Our common interest is to further develop this relationship in a stable, reliable and future-proof manner,” Minister Reiche said on location.
Following talks with Minister Wang, the Central Development Committee and Vice-Minister Zhou, the Minister said: “We are seeking dialogue with China because fair competitive conditions are needed. Competition is good and ensures that we become better together. But competition must be structured and organised in such a way that it is for mutual benefit.”
German-Chinese economic and trade relations are extensive. With foreign trade turnover of more than 250 billion euros, the People’s Republic was again Germany’s most important trading partner in 2025 — as it had already been from 2016 to 2023.
“A modern economic relationship needs cooperation. It needs cooperation and competition. Competition makes [us] stronger. Cooperation creates stability and innovation creates common progress,” the Minister continued.
The trip is about common goals, for example in the development of energy technologies, and about exchanging views on them. In this way, the trip fits into the Federal Government’s strategy of exploring future potential for cooperation while at the same time continuing dialogue with the Chinese government.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz had already made a state visit to China in February. The Chancellor had also announced the planning of German-Chinese government consultations. The question of how competition is shaped is of great importance for the quality of the partnership, Merz had stressed.
Important foreign location
This is because trade between two of the world’s three largest economies generates great force, also beyond their own borders, the Federal Chancellor emphasised during his visit in February. As an example, he cited the up to 120 additional aircraft that China had currently ordered from Airbus. Further contract conclusions were in prospect.
With 5,200 German companies, China is overall one of the most important German foreign locations — with a focus on the automotive, mechanical engineering and electrical industries.
Source – German Government
Constructive dialogue, transparency and long-term cooperation – Statements by Minister Reiche
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche begins her inaugural visit to the People’s Republic of China on 27 May 2026. In Beijing and in the southern Chinese economic metropolis of Canton, she will hold political talks, take part in business dialogue formats and visit companies. Her interlocutors include, among others, Vice Premier He Lifeng and Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao. Federal Minister Reiche is accompanied by a business delegation of around 35 members as well as by four members of the German Bundestag.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Reiche: “Germany and China are linked by one of the most important economic relationships in the world. Our common interest is to further develop this relationship in a stable, reliable and future-proof manner. I have great respect for the dynamism with which China is modernising its economy and advancing technological developments. Especially in times of global uncertainty, dialogue, trust and resilient partnerships are needed. I will therefore advocate on the ground for modern cooperation — on the basis of openness, competition and mutual benefit.”
Germany and China are closely intertwined economically. With a trade volume of around 250 billion euros, China was also Germany’s largest goods trading partner in 2025. Around 5,000 German companies are currently active in China. At the same time, China is increasingly developing into a central innovation location — including in the fields of battery technologies, digitalisation, robotics and artificial intelligence.
Exchange is also continuing to gain importance in energy policy. China plays a leading international role in numerous energy technologies. Dialogue on industrial transformation, security of supply and affordable energy is therefore of great interest to both sides.
At the same time, the economic framework conditions are changing noticeably. Competitive pressure on international markets is increasing, global supply chains are becoming more geopolitically sensitive, and questions of fair competitive conditions are gaining in importance. German exports to China fell by around ten percent in 2025 to approximately 80 billion euros. At the same time, imports from China rose to around 170 billion euros. This results in a clear trade imbalance that is being discussed intensively in Germany and Europe.
The Federal Government is therefore pursuing an approach that combines economic openness with strategic resilience. The aim is to reduce risks, make supply chains more robust and further develop mutual market opportunities. Germany is also bringing this perspective into the European discussion. In this context, the European single market and close European coordination are of particular importance.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Reiche: “Germany seeks an open dialogue with China, for a modern partnership of competition, trust and mutual benefit. Competition strengthens innovation and technological performance. At the same time, stable economic relations need transparency, predictability and reliable framework conditions. Especially in future fields such as artificial intelligence, battery technologies or industrial transformation, there are major opportunities for deeper cooperation. I will advocate for this in my talks in China.”
e-translated by ChatGPT, prompted by Insight EU. This English translation is provided for informational purposes only. In the event of any discrepancies or legal interpretations, the original German version shall prevail and is the only legally binding text.
Source – German Government