启程访华前，默茨祝福并感谢中国

Group 1 - German Chancellor Merz's visit to China marks a significant shift in Germany's foreign policy towards pragmatic cooperation with China, moving away from earlier strategies of "systemic confrontation" and "de-risking" [2][4] - The visit is accompanied by a high-profile economic delegation from Germany, including executives from approximately 30 leading companies in sectors such as automotive, chemicals, and machinery, indicating a strong desire to deepen bilateral economic relations [2][6] - The bilateral trade volume between China and Germany is projected to reach €251.8 billion by 2025, with Germany importing €170.6 billion worth of goods from China, highlighting the importance of this relationship [6] Group 2 - Merz's government is facing internal challenges, including rising political fragmentation and the need to balance welfare state commitments with reform investments, which could impact the stability of the federal government [4][5] - The ongoing Ukraine conflict has exacerbated Germany's energy, economic, and social crises, prompting Merz to seek China's assistance in navigating these challenges [7][8] - The emphasis on cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections is seen as essential for stabilizing and enhancing the long-term strategic partnership between China and Germany [9]