SCMP cites sources saying trip planned 'within weeks'; Beijing yet to confirm

Germany has toughened trade stance, blocked Chinese acquisition on security grounds

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. [EPA]
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. [EPA]

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is pursuing an official visit to China for the first time in eight years, foreign media reported, drawing attention to whether the two leaders will hold talks as Berlin has hardened its China policy over industrial competition and security concerns.

The South China Morning Post reported Thursday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter, that Steinmeier plans to visit China within the coming weeks. Yonhap reported the development Friday. If the trip goes ahead, it would be his first official visit to China since 2018.

Steinmeier's term ends in March next year, and his visit is expected to overlap with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's tour of Japan and South Korea. Merz visited China in February. In Germany, the chancellor leads the government while the president serves as a largely ceremonial head of state.

The planned visit comes as the German government has recently shifted toward a harder line on trade policy with China.

Growing concern that intensifying competition with China could erode Germany's core manufacturing base has led analysts to assess that the complementary economic relationship — in which German companies supplied machinery to Chinese factories — has in effect come to an end.

Germany and France have also jointly proposed strengthening the EU's trade defense tools, calling for new measures that would allow Europe to respond more forcefully and swiftly to trade disputes that threaten the bloc.

Security-related scrutiny has continued as well. On Wednesday, the German government blocked a deal in which Chinese state-owned shipping giant Cosco sought to acquire an 80 percent stake in German logistics firm Zippel, citing security concerns.

Should Steinmeier meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, trade, industrial competition and security issues are expected to top the agenda.

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at its regular briefing Thursday that it had no information to provide regarding the reported visit.


kyoung@heraldcorp.com