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German-Chinese relations

China is Germany's biggest trading partner. But geopolitical concerns have led to a more strained relationship.

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All Content on this topic

A plane docked at the Leipzig/Halle airport at night

A plane docked at the Leipzig/Halle airport at night

Germany arrests Chinese national on suspicion of spying

She has been accused of passing on information about the transport of military equipment to another suspected agent.

Toddler plays with blocks

Toddler plays with blocks

Does our economy need a baby boom?

A country’s birthrate has an economic impact. But does the world need more people — or less?

Workers in blue hygiene suits, masks and gloves manufacture LED chips in the clean room at the plant of Shandong Inspur Huaguang Optoelectronics Co., Ltd

Workers in blue hygiene suits, masks and gloves manufacture LED chips in the clean room at the plant of Shandong Inspur Huaguang Optoelectronics Co., Ltd

EU-China rivalry: Protecting sensitive tech from Beijing

The bloc could restrict exports of tech to China. But getting all member states on board will be difficult.

Annalena Baerbock sits with translator headphones in her ears and a coffee cup next to her in the International Criminal Court.

Annalena Baerbock sits with translator headphones in her ears and a coffee cup next to her in the International Criminal Court.

Baerbock says Germany has a duty to end Russian war crimes

Germany's past obliges it to prevent genocide and crimes against humanity, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told DW.

Olaf Scholz next to Xi Jinping with German and Chinese flags in the background

Olaf Scholz next to Xi Jinping with German and Chinese flags in the background

Germany's new China strategy: What Beijing thinks

China has accused Berlin of "protectionism," saying that Germany's new strategy will prove "counterproductive."

Olaf Scholz and Li Qiang putting earpieces into their ears, standing in front of their national flags

Olaf Scholz and Li Qiang putting earpieces into their ears, standing in front of their national flags

Germany's new China strategy: Critical but not decoupling

The divisions are widening between Germany and China, but Berlin does not want to hamper its own economic interests.

Richard Walker, DW's Chief International Editor

Richard Walker, DW's Chief International Editor

China strategy gives only 'pointers'

DW's Richard Walker takes a closer look at the German government's long-awaited strategy for relations with China.

Chinese and German flags in Beijing

Chinese and German flags in Beijing

China policy: Germany outlines new 'not naive' approach

The German government has unveiled its new China strategy after long and fraught negotiations within the coalition.

German and Chinese men applauding as the plaque of the Confucius Institute is unveiled during its opening ceremony at Leibniz University in Hannover, Germany, on Nov. 7, 2017

German and Chinese men applauding as the plaque of the Confucius Institute is unveiled during its opening ceremony at Leibniz University in Hannover, Germany, on Nov. 7, 2017

China's Confucius Institutes may face German restrictions

German politicians want to see "clear limits" when it comes to China's influence on universities in Germany.

Men in suits stand near a robot

Men in suits stand near a robot

China touts Germany business ties despite unsolved tensions

Beijing is portraying Premier Li's business-oriented trip to Germany as a diplomatic success, yet experts are skeptical.

Olaf Scholz (right) and Li Qiang meeting in Berlin

Olaf Scholz (right) and Li Qiang meeting in Berlin

China and Germany: A balancing act

The latest round of high-level government consultations in Berlin were friendly in tone, but tough in substance.

Deutschland-Besuch der chinesischen Regierung

Deutschland-Besuch der chinesischen Regierung

A look back at recent German-Chinese relations

China's Li Qiang visits Berlin amid increasing skepticism of China.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu wears a tie and gestures with his hands

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu wears a tie and gestures with his hands

Taiwan's Wu wants 'more European voices' on China

Taiwan's foreign minister hopes that "more European voices" will caution China against aggression toward the island.

Quantenphysik | Symbol

Quantenphysik | Symbol

China's quantum leap — Made in Germany

How Germany's oldest university became entangled in China's quantum military strategy.

Pilots in a Chinese fighter jet

Pilots in a Chinese fighter jet

Germany fears ex-pilots share secrets with China

Retired German air force pilots have taken their skills to China. The defense minister wants to stop the practice.

A container ship sitting in Hamburg's port

A container ship sitting in Hamburg's port

Germany inks deal with China's COSCO on Hamburg port

The German government has approved a deal which sees Chinese company COSCO acquire a portion of Hamburg port.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing

Germany's Baerbock says parts of China trip 'shocking'

The foreign minister said Germany should continue close ties to China but "not be naive" and avoid repeating mistakes.

Annalena Baerbock disembarking a plane

Annalena Baerbock disembarking a plane

Germany: EU 'cannot be indifferent' to China-Taiwan tensions

Germany's Annalena Baerbock is the latest top European politician to visit China after landing in Tianjin.

German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger

German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger

German minister to visit Taiwan, first such trip in 26 years

The first visit by a German Cabinet minister to Taiwan since 1997 is likely to irk Beijing.

A Chinese student wears protective gear at a microtechnology lab at the University of Chemnitz

A Chinese student wears protective gear at a microtechnology lab at the University of Chemnitz

How China controls its top students in Germany

China subjects its best students in Germany to restrictive contracts that contradict Germany's fundamental rights.

Robert Habeck speaks on a plane to Singapore, with reporters visible in the background. From 12.11.2022.

Robert Habeck speaks on a plane to Singapore, with reporters visible in the background. From 12.11.2022.

Germany must 'be more careful' with China, Habeck tells DW

In light of the war in Ukraine, Robert Habeck told DW Germany also needs to diversify its business interests in Asia.

Outside of Elmos Semiconductor SE in Dortmund

Outside of Elmos Semiconductor SE in Dortmund

Germany halts Chinese buyouts of semiconductor firms

Core components in computers and more, many of the leading semiconductor manufacturers are in Asia.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a press conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a press conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

Scholz's China trip raised more doubts than congratulations

Experts argue that Chancellor Olaf Scholz's trip both contravened German government strategy and endangered EU unity.

Scholz walking past chinese soldiers

Scholz walking past chinese soldiers

German chancellor's visit exposes EU rifts over China

The trip comes amid growing calls for Berlin to take a tougher stance on an increasingly assertive Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party in Beijing, China, on Oct. 16, 2022.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party in Beijing, China, on Oct. 16, 2022.

Will the EU move to curb Chinese investments?

The EU wants to reduce dependence on incoming Chinese investment. Can it and should it?

A picture of a COSCO container ship mooring in the Hamburg port

A picture of a COSCO container ship mooring in the Hamburg port

Germany at odds over Chinese investors

Differences in Germany's government have stalled a bid by a Chinese shipping giant seeking a stake in the Hamburg port.

The German and Chinese flags side by side

The German and Chinese flags side by side

Strain showing after 50 years of Germany-China relations

Trading partners China and Germany are becoming increasingly estranged.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, center, poses for photos with a delegation from the Germany-Taiwan parliamentary friendship group led by Klaus-Peter Willsch and other Taiwan officials at the Presidential Office in Taipei

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, center, poses for photos with a delegation from the Germany-Taiwan parliamentary friendship group led by Klaus-Peter Willsch and other Taiwan officials at the Presidential Office in Taipei

Official Taiwan trip won't likely provoke China

Experts say a visit by Bundestag deputies doesn't fundamentally shift the status quo of Germany's stance towards Taiwan.

COSCO ship in Hamburg Port's Tollerort terminal

COSCO ship in Hamburg Port's Tollerort terminal

Is Germany too dependent on China?

Germany wants to reduce dependence on the country's most important trading partner. But businesses aren't convinced.

Protesters supporting Taiwanese freedom and good relations with the US

Protesters supporting Taiwanese freedom and good relations with the US

Germany's China-Taiwan dilemma

Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has heightened tensions between the US and China. This also has implications for Germany.

People wearing masks protest against China's treatment towards the ethnic Uyghur people and calling for a boycott of the 2022 winter Olympics in China

People wearing masks protest against China's treatment towards the ethnic Uyghur people and calling for a boycott of the 2022 winter Olympics in China

Germany rethinks its prosperous partnership with China

China's human rights violations and its backing of Russia's war in Ukraine are prompting Berlin to rethink relations.

Chinese soldiers carry the Chinese flag up a flight of stairs

Chinese soldiers carry the Chinese flag up a flight of stairs

How a Humboldt fellow joined China's military commission

A DW investigation reveals that some former Humboldt research fellows are now working with China's military.

President Xi Jinping shakes hands with a uniformed NUDT officer, other officers nearby

President Xi Jinping shakes hands with a uniformed NUDT officer, other officers nearby

Are European academics helping China's military?

An investigation by DW and partners reveals that European researchers have cooperated with China's top defense academy.

A man wearing glasses and a suit points to equipment

A man wearing glasses and a suit points to equipment

China: Economic friend or foe?

Is China a good economic partner for Germany? DW takes a closer look from Berlin to Beijing.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Many Germans see China ousting US as superpower

Many people in Germany feel China will take the US' place as dominant world power in the coming decades.

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German video star in China

A German living in Shanghai has a gained huge following for his videos about life in China.

Flags of Germany and USA

Flags of Germany and USA

Germans trust China more than the US, survey finds

Germans have little faith in the United States as an ally under President Donald Trump, a survey has found.

The Cantonese have the reputation of eating everything but tables, planes and submarines

The Cantonese have the reputation of eating everything but tables, planes and submarines

Young German Recalls China Experience

What’s it like for a young German to live 7,000 kilometres away from home? In China for instance? This is what the schoolboy Christian Peckart discovered during a year in a province about which other Chinese say: “The Cantonese eat everything that has four legs except for tables and chairs, everything that flies except airplanes and everything that swims except submarines.” So that’s what Christian did too -- he got out his chopsticks and got stuck in.

Germans Probe China Terror Cell Claims

Germans Drub China in Women's Soccer Opener

Germany's women thrashed their Chinese counterparts with an unexpected 8-0 win Wednesday at the Athens Olympics women's soccer opener, providing a thrilling start to the Games.