China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners, says Chinese foreign ministry

Record ID: 2358276

  • Title: China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners, says Chinese foreign ministry
  • Date: 25th February 2026
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (FEBRUARY 25, 2026) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON MAO NING ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, MAO NING, SAYING: "China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners who have accumulated successful practices of benign competition and integrated development. China-G
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: China EU Germany Li Qiang Merz bilateral cooperation foreign ministry partnership rival
  • Location: BEIJING, CHINA
  • City: BEIJING, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001845525022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners and should work to advance bilateral ties, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday (February 25), as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began a visit aimed at resetting relations amid a widening trade imbalance. 
    When asked to comment on Merz not describing China as a systemic rival in contrast to previous administrations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China-Germany cooperation is mutually beneficial and has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries. 
    China and Germany want to deepen cooperation, Merz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Beijing on Wednesday. 
    Merz faces a tough balancing act of redefining an economic relationship that is increasingly unfavourable to German interests. 
    Li called on both sides to work together to safeguard multilateralism and free trade, in a comment seen as a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, which has upended the global trading system. 
    (Production: Xiaoyu Yin)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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