A joint statement, a steady signal for China-Germany ties

Editor's note: Jessica Durdu, a special commentator for CGTN, is a foreign affairs specialist and PhD candidate in international relations at China Foreign Affairs University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to China comes at a time when global economic and political landscapes are undergoing profound recalibration. Amid growing discussions in Europe about strategic autonomy and de-risking, the joint statement released after his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang offers important insight into how two major economic powers are balancing structural caution with sustained cooperation.

The language of the statement is particularly revealing. The affirmation that bilateral relations should be guided by "mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes" reflects continuity with the long-standing framework of China-Germany all-round strategic partnership. In diplomatic terms, this wording signals an intention to avoid zero-sum framing and instead maintain a cooperative logic even in areas where economic or technological competition exists.

Germany's reaffirmation of the one-China principle stands out as a stabilizing gesture. At a time when global strategic alignments are increasingly influenced by geopolitical tensions, Berlin's reiteration of this position reflects a commitment to diplomatic consistency. Historically, Germany has often relied on such principled continuity to maintain stable relations with major partners, whether during its Ostpolitik  (Eastern Policy) engagement with Eastern Europe or its deepening economic ties with Asia in the post-Cold War period.

Economic cooperation remains the core of the relationship. In 2025, bilateral trade between China and Germany reached 251.8 billion euros ($296.6 billion), with China surpassing the US to once again become Germany's most important trading partner, as it did from 2016 to 2023. German firms such as Volkswagen, BASF, and Siemens continue to expand their investments in China, while Chinese companies play an increasingly important role in Germany's renewable energy and digital infrastructure sectors.

The joint statement's acknowledgement that Germany has concerns regarding "de-risking," trade imbalances, and export controls, while China has concerns about the "securitization of economic and trade issues" is particularly significant. The deliberate pairing of these concerns within the same paragraph suggests a shared understanding that economic security debates should not lead to systemic decoupling.

The decision by both sides to "properly address each other's concerns through candid and open dialogue" also underscores the role of institutional mechanisms. The China-Germany intergovernmental consultation mechanism, highlighted in the statement as having "guiding significance," has historically enabled practical cooperation even during periods of political divergence. For example, during the 2015-2018 period of heightened EU-China trade tensions, this mechanism helped sustain industrial collaboration in areas such as electric mobility and smart manufacturing.

Climate cooperation represents another area where rhetoric aligns with practical necessity. The agreement to continue dialogue under the China-Germany dialogue and cooperation mechanism on climate change and green transition reflects growing complementarities. China's leadership in solar panel production and electric vehicle manufacturing intersects with Germany's expertise in green industrial technology. Joint ventures in offshore wind projects and battery supply chains illustrate how this cooperation has already translated into tangible outcomes. For instance, German chemical giant BASF's 10 billion-euro investment in a new chemical complex in Guangdong, designed to operate with reduced carbon emissions, demonstrates how economic engagement and sustainability goals are increasingly intertwined.

The statement's emphasis on the United Nations Charter and international law also deserves attention. By noting that these principles "form the foundation for international cooperation," both sides align themselves with a broader global trend toward reinforcing multilateral institutions amid systemic uncertainty. This is consistent with Germany's traditional support for rules-based governance and China's advocacy for inclusive multilateralism.

Equally important is the renewed focus on societal connectivity. The agreement to enhance people-to-people exchanges and resume the China-Germany Dialogue Forum signals recognition that long-term resilience in bilateral relations depends not only on state-level cooperation but also on societal ties. Past academic exchanges and vocational training partnerships have played a significant role in strengthening mutual understanding, particularly in advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors.

The visit's broader significance lies in what it reveals about contemporary international politics. Rather than choosing between cooperation and caution, major economies are increasingly attempting to integrate both. The joint statement's careful balance, acknowledging concerns while reaffirming commitment to dialogue, reflects an emerging diplomatic grammar suited to an era of complex interdependence.

Ultimately, Chancellor Merz's visit suggests that China-Germany relations are evolving toward a model of managed cooperation. By sustaining dialogue across trade, climate policy, multilateral governance, and global security issues, both sides demonstrate that strategic stability can coexist with adaptive recalibration.

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