Scholz is looking to boost trade ties but the visit takes place at a time when Brussels has started a subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicle makers.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing on Sunday, the first leg of a three-day visit taking place amid growing tensions between Europe and Beijing over claims of unfair competition.
Scholz is accompanied by a large business delegation and is hoping to use the trip to shore up economic relations.
The Chinese foreign ministry said he would meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang later in the visit to discuss the relationship between the two countries and issues of common concern.
His party includes Germany’s environment, agriculture and transport ministers as well as business leaders such as BMW chief executive Oliver Zipse and executives from Mercedes-Benz and Siemens.
This is Scholz’s second trip to China after he took office, following his first visit in November 2022. He is also the first leader of a major Western country to visit China this year.
Pang Zhongying, a chair professor of international political economy at Sichuan University, said Scholz’s visit was likely to help German companies, especially in the new energy vehicle industry, further develop their business in China.
“Southwest China used to be economically underdeveloped, but now it’s a new economic growth hub,” Pang said.
