Key facts
- German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier began a five-day state visit to China on October 27, 2026.
- Steinmeier arrived in Hefei, Anhui province, on October 27, 2026.
- President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Steinmeier.
- Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji will also meet the German president.
- Steinmeier's visit is his first to China in nearly eight years.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier commenced a five-day state visit to China on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, arriving in Hefei, the capital of eastern Anhui province. This visit marks Steinmeier's first trip to China in nearly eight years and highlights a growing trend of foreign leaders engaging with regions beyond Beijing. During his visit, Steinmeier is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, to discuss bilateral relations and mutual interests. The German president is also expected to visit the Volkswagen China Technology Company and a sustainable urban development project.