Chancellor in the Driver’s Seat of Mercedes: A New Era of German-Chinese Technology Partnership

Beijing – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz test-drove the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Beijing on Thursday morning during his visit to China. During the drive, he experienced the car’s intelligent assisted driving system.

After the test drive, Merz said, “This is amazing. I think this is a technology for the future of mobility.” He praised the close collaboration between German manufacturers and Chinese technology.

Mercedes-Benz issued a press release on Thursday stating that it has established a comprehensive local presence and cooperation network across its entire industrial chain in China. According to the company, the Chinese research and development team is playing an extremely crucial role within Mercedes-Benz’s global R&D network.

Merz’s visit to China took place on February 25 and 26. Visiting companies from both countries and promoting practical cooperation were the main items on his Thursday agenda.

Merz arrived in Hangzhou, the capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province, on Thursday afternoon. At Unitree Robotics, he watched humanoid robots performing various tasks and was impressed by their agile movements.

Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Unitree Robotics, stated that Merz’s visit reflects Germany’s profound interest in China’s technological innovation. He noted the vast potential of the German market and expressed hope for deeper cooperation in the robotics sector.

Merz also visited Siemens High Voltage Circuit Breaker Co., Ltd. in Hangzhou, where he learned about the development of German-invested enterprises in China.

His visit was accompanied by executives from approximately 30 leading German companies in sectors such as automotive, chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, machinery, and the circular economy. More than ten commercial agreements were reached during the visit, conveying a strong message of deepening practical cooperation.

As his visit concluded, Merz stated that he was leaving China with deep impressions. He noted that Germany and China have good cooperation and also face challenges that both countries need to address together.