{
  "id": 17316722,
  "title": "China’s Xi hails new chapter with Germany",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/chinas-xi-hails-new-chapter-with-germany-17316722",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T00:53:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/31/china-s-xi-hails-new-chapter-with-germany"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Germany to adopt a rational, pragmatic, and friendly policy towards China during talks with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, signaling a new chapter in the relationship between the two nations. Xi emphasized the importance of an all-dimensional strategic partnership based on equality, mutual benefit, and strategic stability, sending a positive message to the world that prefers cooperation over confrontation.\n\nSteinmeier's five-day visit to China comes amid brewing trade tensions between the EU and China, with Brussels warning of using all possible means to address its widening trade deficit with China. Germany, along with France, has proposed enacting a new rapid-action measure against countries that harm it, with China likely to be targeted.\n\nThe visit is part of a broader Chinese diplomatic effort to strengthen ties with European countries as Beijing faces increased scrutiny over its trade practices. On the sidelines of the visit, Volkswagen's China unit secured a permit for Level 3 autonomous-driving road tests, a step toward the company's 2027 target for L3 readiness. Additionally, Beijing hosted Swiss President Guy Parmelin to sign an upgraded free trade agreement and welcomed Iceland's Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir with a new flight connection linking Beijing and Reykjavik.\n\nHowever, analysts cautioned that China's diplomatic efforts may not be sufficient to counter growing skepticism in Europe regarding China's overall mercantilist approach to economic ties. In Germany, the debate over China's economic practices has become more critical, with calls for a tougher China policy now emanating from industry and security experts alike.",
  "summary": "Xi Jinping held talks with German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is on a five-day visit to China amid brewing trade tensions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}