China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning outlined Beijing’s expectations ahead of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s upcoming visit, emphasizing mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation between the world’s second- and third-largest economies. Beijing expressed readiness to deepen practical cooperation and strengthen China-Germany relations for global peace and prosperity. Addressing the Ukraine conflict, Mao Ning reiterated that China is not a party to the crisis and has consistently promoted dialogue and a political settlement. On the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, China called negotiations the only viable path forward and rejected claims that it has benefited from the conflict.