Overview
- Wadephul held his delayed inaugural meetings with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing.
- He said China signaled possible general licences for rare-earth exports but emphasized that no assurances were given and substantial work still lies ahead.
- The German minister urged China to use its influence on Russia to move toward Ukraine negotiations, with Chinese officials offering no specific commitments.
- Chinese counterparts reiterated the One-China stance and pressed Berlin to oppose any moves toward Taiwan’s independence.
- Berlin cast the trip as groundwork for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s planned early-2026 visit as China’s swelling trade surplus underscored the economic asymmetry.