Overview
- Germany’s foreign minister met Wang Wentao, Wang Yi, Vice President Han Zheng and party official Liu Haixing before traveling to Guangzhou, completing a condensed two-day visit.
- China signaled possible general licences to ease rare-earth exports to German firms, yet Berlin reported only tentative movement and said substantial work remains.
- Johann Wadephul urged Beijing to use its influence on Moscow to push for Ukraine negotiations, while China reiterated generic support for efforts conducive to peace.
- Trade frictions framed the talks as Germany pressed on subsidies, overcapacity and market access, with the backdrop of China’s year-to-date trade surplus exceeding one trillion dollars.
- Berlin cast the trip as groundwork for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s early‑2026 visit, with ZDF reporting no concessions from China despite polite, detailed discussions and industry stops in Guangdong.