Steinmeier speech in China: "With size and power comes great responsibility"

Steinmeier in China "With size and power comes great responsibility" As of: October 29, 2026 • 12:21 p.m

Federal President Steinmeier gave a speech at the renowned Peking University. He made clear demands on China - but also expressed his respect for the People's Republic.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has appealed to China to work together to strengthen the rules-based international order and advocate for peace and free world trade. In his speech at the renowned Peking University, he called for reducing imbalances in economic relations between China and Germany and Europe.

Steinmeier spoke at the university because it awarded him an honorary professorship. The students in the auditorium greeted the German head of state with long applause.

"A request and a warning", Matthias Deiß, ARD Berlin, on Federal President Steinmeier's speech in Beijing tagesschau24, October 29, 2026 • 11:00 a.m. Appeal to China's trade policy Steinmeier emphasized that Germany and Europe wanted economic relations on an equal footing. "Our goal as Europeans is clear: We don't want a decoupling from China, but on the contrary: we want to shape trade in such a way that it continues to bring benefits for both sides." Competition is good, but only “if it takes place on the basis of fair and uniform rules.”

The Federal President expressed understanding that China wanted to protect its economy against external shocks and negative influences. "But China's greater independence must not mirror the growing dependence and vulnerability of others on China."

The Europeans cannot accept that companies have no or only strictly controlled access to the Chinese market, "but in return state-subsidized Chinese exports flow in large quantities into our markets," said Steinmeier. He described the concessions from Beijing to export fewer hybrid cars as an encouraging sign and called for concessions in other areas.

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Steinmeier also paid respect to the People's Republic for its rapid economic, technological and political development. The country has become a “formative world power,” said the German head of state. But this must have concrete consequences. “With size and power comes great responsibility.”

The Europeans viewed China's rise with benevolence, but also with expectations. "We are not worried about China rising. However, we are watching how China rises."

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Steinmeier sees these expectations and responsibility particularly in the settlement of international conflicts such as Russia's war against Ukraine. "China is a permanent member of the Security Council and has close relations with Russia. So let us work together to ensure that Russia stops its attacks and enters into serious negotiations."

China's interests are also at stake. As a major economic and trading power, the country is dependent on free sea routes, intact supply chains and a secure energy supply. "The longer these conflicts last, the weaker the entire global economy will become as a whole and with it one of its largest economies, namely China."

Steinmeier will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday. Chancellor Merz is also currently traveling in Asia. He is visiting South Korea today.

This topic in the program: tagesschau24 | News | Oct 29, 2026 | 11:00 a.m