China’s Li, Merz Signal Desire for Better Ties After Tensions

Premier Li Qiang and Friedrich Merzboth indicated they’d like relations between their nations to improve, as the German chancellor kicks off his first official visit to China — one that will be complicated by worries about trade and supplies of key minerals.

“It’s very important to me to keep and deepen this relationship wherever that is possible,” Merz said before heading into a meeting with Li in Beijing on Wednesday. “But we also have some issues about which we will have to address,” adding he saw an opening for both nations to help their economies grow.

Friedrich Merz speaks in Germany before his departure for China on Feb. 24.

Photographer: Michael Kappeler/dpa/picture alliance/Getty Images

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