German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is leading a business delegation to China, just as the country emerges from its Lunar New Year break. © Reuters
JENS KASTNER
February 24, 2026 11:51 JST
HAMBURG, Germany — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s list of dozens of foreign visits in his first 10 months in office has a glaring omission: China. But that is about to change, as the leader of Europe’s largest economy prepares to lead a roughly 30-member-strong business delegation on a trip starting Tuesday.