Germany expects stronger trade ties with China at Berlin forum

Germany is looking to strengthen cooperation with China as officials and business leaders from both sides met at a forum in Berlin on Thursday to discuss expanding trade and investment ties.

The forum, hosted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry alongside a promotion event for the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), focused on ways to keep the trading relationship relevant and to explore new areas of cooperation ahead of the next edition of expo scheduled in Shanghai in November.

"The [bilateral] trading relationship, first and foremost, is essential. And it has been for decades. And you know, our event today is all about also figuring out how we can keep it relevant and how we also can develop new areas of cooperation. This event is also all about exporting more to China again," said Thomas Konig, director China at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).

Germany and China have maintained strong trade ties for decades, with Germany remaining one of China's key economic partners in Europe.

Officials at the forum said expanding imports from Germany could create new opportunities for cooperation in sectors including aviation, automotive manufacturing, healthcare and industrial equipment.

Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce of China and deputy China international trade representative, said China is willing to increase imports of high-quality German products, technologies and services as part of efforts to promote more balanced bilateral trade.

China, home to the world's largest middle-income population and the world's second-largest consumer market, launched its "Export to China" initiative last year to help foreign companies access the Chinese market, Ling said.

The discussions come at a time of global economic uncertainty, trade tensions and concerns over trade imbalances.

German officials stressed that cooperation must continue, but future growth depends on balance.

"In the end, there cannot be winners on only one side. We must make sure there are winners on all sides," said Thomas Steffen, state secretary with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

He stressed the need to make the cake bigger for everyone.

Industry groups pointed to opportunities in medical technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and the green transition.

"Just look into the future, med-tech. You have the waste management, you have the circular economy, you have AI, you have quantum technology, you have smart manufacturing. German innovators are ready to do their part and to contribute," said Konig.

According to the organizers, the CIIE will once again bring together thousands of companies from around the world, all hoping to turn today's conversations into tomorrow's contracts.

Germany expects stronger trade ties with China at Berlin forum

Russia said Sunday that its troops have struck Ukraine's military infrastructure and shot down 483 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours, while Kiev claimed raids on Russian targets.

Russia's operational-tactical aviation, drones, missile and artillery units hit Ukraine's long-range drone storage depots, energy, transport and port infrastructure related to military operations, the Russian defense ministry said in a press release.

Temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian military formations and foreign mercenaries in 150 places were also hit, it said.

Meanwhile, multiple Russian regions, including areas near Moscow, came under Ukrainian drone attacks, inflicting civilian casualties. Emergency response teams are working at the crash site of the drone wreckage, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Sunday morning.

On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces have struck several "important" facilities in Russia.

Among the targets was an oil facility in the Yaroslavl region in central Russia, which is important for Russia's oil reserves, Zelensky wrote on X.

He said Ukrainian forces also hit the Azot chemical plant in the Tula region, a key explosives production facility in Russia. Ukraine's Air Force reported in the early hours of Monday that several regions faced the threat of Russian missile and drone strikes.

The head of Kyiv's military administration said that as of 5:40 local time, the strikes had killed four people and injured 23 others in the capital. Russia has not yet commented on the reports. Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv early Monday morning. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said air defenses were working over Kyiv and the surrounding region.

The four districts of Podilskyi, Obolonskyi, Pecherskyi, and Solomianskyi were hit, with several apartment buildings on fire, Klitschko posted on social media. Rescue teams were dispatched to the scene.

Russia raids Ukraine's military infrastructure as Kiev strikes key Russian facilities