German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche called for open dialogue based on trust with China at the start of her visit to Beijing on Wednesday, as Berlin and Beijing seek to deepen economic ties despite growing trade tensions.
Meeting Zhou Haibing, vice minister at China's powerful National Development and Reform Commission, Reiche said it was important to continue the constructive discussions recently held between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
She highlighted energy security and supply stability as key issues for both countries, pointing to concerns over the Middle East conflict and rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence.
During her visit, Reiche is also scheduled to meet Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Vice Premier He Lifeng, who shares responsibility for trade issues in the Chinese government.
A delegation of German business executives is accompanying the minister, including BASF chief executive Markus Kamieth and Thyssenkrupp boss Miguel Ángel López Borrego.
On Thursday, Reiche is due to visit companies and local government representatives in the southern industrial hub of Guangzhou.
The trip comes as Germany and China attempt to revive economic dialogue following Merz's trip to Asia earlier this year. At the same time, the relationship remains strained by trade imbalances, complaints over unfair competition and debate within the European Union over tougher protective measures.
Beijing's export controls on raw materials such as rare earths could also become a topic of discussion during the trip.
China remains Germany's largest trading partner, although Germany imports significantly more goods from China than it exports there.
According to Germany's Federal Statistical Office, bilateral trade volume exceeded €250 billion ($291 billion) last year. Imports from China rose 8.8% to €170.6 billion, while German exports to China fell 9.7% to €81.3 billion.
