Germany signals closer China tech ties after executive meetings

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Hangzhou, China, on February 26, meeting executives from Alibaba, Unitree Robotics, and other tech firms, signalling growing international recognition of China’s robotics and AI sectors.

During the visit, Merz toured Unitree’s facilities and observed humanoid robots dancing and performing martial arts, as reported by CCTV.

He also met representatives from Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu Yongming, Rokid, BrainCo, Geely, and Leapmotor, according to CCTV and company statements.

The trip concluded Merz’s first official visit to China, and analysts said it reflects Germany’s effort to deepen cooperation with China’s digital and robotics industries.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

German automakers already rely on China’s tech ecosystem

Years of work with China’s tech sector already shapes how German carmakers build and sell vehicles.
In Beijing, Chancellor Merz test-drove a Mercedes-Benz S-Class with an urban and highway pilot driver-assist system co-developed with Chinese tech firm Momenta 1.
The project is in rollout mode, with an “Urban Pilot” trained on Chinese road data to handle dense city traffic 2.
One shared target is a jointly developed parking suite planned for 2025 that reached a 98% success rate in tests 3.
Mercedes-Benz plans to add the system across its electric lineup, including a new fully electric GLC SUV, with more vehicles due in 2026 2.

Cooperation has become a survival strategy

Merz met Chinese tech and robotics groups in Hangzhou, including Alibaba and Unitree Robotics, as Germany looks for ways to protect industrial strength.
China was Germany’s largest trade partner last year, while Germany ran a trade deficit of almost 90 billion euros in 2025 4.
Executives argue partnerships help keep pace by pairing German precision engineering with China’s scale and speed in AI and robotics 5.
Joint work also helps companies adjust products for the Chinese market while managing worries about overcapacity from Chinese exporters in Europe 4.
As transatlantic trade relations face strain, Germany treats access to China’s tech network as a core part of its economic strategy 6.