Merz tours China’s Forbidden City, attends robot boxing match
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday concluded his two-day visit to China with a tour of the Forbidden City in Beijing and a boxing match between robots in the eastern high-tech metropolis of Hangzhou.
After meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday that focused on strengthening economic and diplomatic ties, the second day of Mr Merz’s visit featured a more diverse programme, starting at the historic Forbidden City.
The complex, which served as the imperial palace for more than 500 years, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s most important attractions.
In a reference to the newly begun Year of the Horse, Mr Merz wrote in his guestbook entry at the palace that he wishes Germany and China speed, strength, and energy for “a year of cooperation and growth”.
He also added a line from German poet Friedrich Schiller’s poem ‘The Proverbs of Confucius’.
The chancellor then set off for Hangzhou, a city of 12.6 million inhabitants near Shanghai that has become a hub for high-tech firms such as Alibaba and China’s leading AI company, DeepSeek.
Another high-profile business in Hangzhou is Unitree Robotics, founded in 2016 by Wang Xingxing, which has made a name for itself in China with its humanoid robots.
The robots caused a great stir when they performed a folk dance on stage at the TV gala for the Chinese New Year festival in 2025, and when they displayed their fighting prowess in the latest New Year show earlier this month.
Mr Merz witnessed a boxing match between robots that are 1.3 metres tall and use AI.
Later on Thursday, Mr Merz will visit a high-voltage switchgear facility in Hangzhou operated by German firm Siemens Energy, which has been in operation since 1995.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
South Korea, France to invest €1 billion in film industry
Under the initiative, each country will invest €500 million in the sector over five years.
Africa
Ghana repatriates body of national killed in South Africa mob attack
The Ghanaian government has repatriated the body of 37-year-old Nash Amoonu Jailor, who was allegedly attacked and killed in March 2026 by a South African mob.
NationWide
NAFDAC urges collective action against fake products
NAFDAC DG Mojisola Adeyeye urged Nigerians to report individuals or groups involved in counterfeiting regulated products through the agency’s official complaint channel.
Economy
ANEEJ demands transparency, recovery of N14 billion paid for Benin-Asaba road rehabilitation
“Our concern is that Nigerians are entitled to know exactly how N14 billion was committed, certified, paid and accounted for,” Mr Ugolor said.
Economy
Rising meat imports threaten livestock industry: MACBAN
The association said it was concerned about recent reports of increased imports of beef and other meat products into Nigeria.
States
So-Safe corps nabs two Ogun teenage burglars
So-Safe arrested two teenagers over the alleged burglary of a shop in Ogun State.
