Germany's Merz to make inaugural visit to China early next year

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Merz said a precise date for the visit has yet to be set, but it would take place in the "first weeks of next year".

Merz echoed comments by German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, who visited China earlier this week and called on Beijing to use its influence on Russia to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.

"China can exert influence on Russia. And this influence could really be a bit greater, according to our joint assessment," Merz said.

Klingbeil, who also serves as finance minister, accompanied the chancellor to the G20 meeting in South Africa.

He was the first Cabinet member to visit China since the Merz administration took office in early May.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul postponed a planned trip a few weeks ago because he was unable to secure sufficiently high-ranking discussion partners in Beijing amid tensions over Taiwan.

Merz and Klingbeil were due to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Johannesburg later on Sunday. Chinese President Xi Jinping, like US President Donald Trump, is absent from the summit.