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Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz
Friedrich Merz was elected German chancellor in May 2025, becoming the country’s 10th chancellor since World War II.
This week’s summit of EU leaders in Brussels is supposed to be about the bloc’s competitiveness, widely understood as a response to China’s state-backed industrial expansion. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

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China-EU relations

Get realpolitik? Von der Leyen questions Europe’s faith in rules-based order

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China-EU relations

Weaponise EU market against China or face manufacturing collapse: official think tank

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China-EU relations

From rivals to partners, China and Europe are retooling ties, adviser says

A succession of leaders have beaten a path to Beijing with pragmatic cooperation in mind, according to former ambassador Wu Ken.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) walks the Shanghai Bund with Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle in Shanghai in late January. Photo: dpa
China-Germany relations

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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Spain

Germany’s Merz lacked ‘solidarity’ amid silence during Trump attacks: Spain

The comments came after the US president said the Spanish government has been ‘terrible’ during the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

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Donald Trump

Video | Trump seeks to justify Iran war

The US President held a White House meeting where he seemed to walk back Marco Rubio’s comments that Israel triggered the war.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump slams European allies, praises China and continues to justify Iran attack

US president blasted Spain for denying access to its military bases for his bombing campaign, but boasts of ‘good relationship with China’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Europe divided, on edge as US-Israel strikes on Iran ripple across the continent

Cyprus hit, oil prices jump and EU leaders clash over legality, regime change and Washington’s role in the widening conflict.

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Germany

BMW to trial humanoid robots at German factory, as China competition heats up

The two AI-powered Aeon robots – touted as being smart enough to make their own decisions – will work alongside human staff.

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Aeon, a humanoid robot, is seen at a BMW facility in Munich, Germany, on Friday. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Video | German leader greeted by robot dance troupe in China

Friedrich Merz’s China trip aimed to boost economic ties between Berlin and Beijing.

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Robotics

Germany’s Merz meets China’s tech vanguard, including Alibaba and Unitree CEOs

Hangzhou visit reflects Germany’s attempt to work further with the engines of China’s digital and robotics economy.

SCMP Highlights

Chinese tourists flock to Seoul, child shoved in Tokyo crossing: 7 highlights

From China tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

China-Germany relations

Editorial | Merz’s Beijing trip shows that Germany realises it needs to work with China

Stable bilateral and China-EU relations can only be positive for global stability and sustainable development in an era of turbulence.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, shakes hands with President Xi Jinping at the state guesthouse in Beijing on February 25. Photo: Reuters
China-Germany relations

Germany’s Merz leaves China with stronger ties as Trump trade battle looms

Analysts say German chancellor’s talks in Beijing helped build rapport with Chinese leaders and halt confrontation.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (centre) visits the Forbidden City in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
Ukraine war

China ‘reminds’ its male citizens in Russia about Moscow’s military service law

Men applying for long-term Russian residency must agree to serve a year in the armed forces, consulate says in an unusual notice.

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China-EU relations

China-EU trade ties are at a crossroads. Could tech bridge the divide?

A hostile Washington is creating openings for a reset – but deep-seated issues remain, analyst says.

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China-Germany relations

‘China shock’ hits Germany as Merz joins Beijing pilgrimage

Chancellor Friedrich Merz becomes the latest European leader to visit China, as Germany contends with a surging bilateral trade deficit.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. (Photo: dpa)
Ukraine war

China affirms ‘no nukes’ position amid claims of European plan to arm Ukraine

While Moscow accuses London and Paris of preparing to give nuclear weapons to Kyiv, Beijing doubles down.

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US-China trade war

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

China-Germany relations

Merz’s China tightrope: German leader has warm words, hard questions for Beijing

German chancellor strikes diplomatic tone in Beijing meetings while pushing his hosts on subsidies, currency devaluation and Russia.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP
China-Germany relations

Xi and Merz pledge to strengthen ties as they rebalance amid ‘turbulent’ times

After meeting Chinese leader, German chancellor calls for closer trade relations to unlock opportunities and drive economic prosperity.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: dpa
China-Germany relations

‘China shock’ hangs over German leader Merz’s first visit to Beijing

Chancellor must strike a balance between those wanting a toned-down Brussels trade policy and those backing tougher action against Beijing.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | Germany’s outreach to China signals a reckoning, rather than a shift

The German chancellor realises that while China poses a long-term economic challenge, the United States is currently the more disruptive partner.

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China-Germany relations

Video | Where next for China-Germany ties?

Roles reverse as China, once reliant on German expertise, is now coming out on top.

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Germany

Germany’s ruling party seeks social media ban for children aged below 14

Spain, Greece, France, Britain and other countries are looking at similar social media bans or curbs.

Social media apps displayed on a mobile phone. Germany’s ruling party has called for fines against online platforms that fail to enforce social media curbs for children. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Merz the latest European leader to visit China amid tensions with US

Trade deficit is likely to be top priority for German chancellor on his first official visit to China since taking office.

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China-Germany relations

Video | China-Germany ties ahead of Merz’s visit

Roles reversed with China, once reliant on German expertise, now on top.

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