Friedrich Merz is making his first official visit to China amid growing economic competition and a widening trade deficit between the two countries.

During the two-day trip, Merz will meet top Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and visit key industrial sites such as a Mercedes-Benz facility and Hangzhou’s tech hub.

He is expected to raise concerns over China’s backing of Russia in the Ukraine war and pressing German demands for more open markets and reduced trade barriers.

Germany sees China both as a vital economic partner and a strategic competitor, particularly in manufacturing and emerging industries like electric vehicles and technology, the AP has reported.

Merz’s visit underscores Germany’s broader strategy to balance cooperation with China while reducing dependence on it, ahead of a follow-up trip to Washington.