"There was a shared commitment to further consolidating and improving bilateral ties, along with a strong desire to deepen mutual understanding," Jiang said, noting that there was also a clear awareness that China-Germany relations are entering a new phase, different from the past.

　　The current international landscape and the structure of bilateral ties have both undergone significant changes, and challenges remain substantial. As a result, how to reshape the relationship under these new structural conditions became a central focus of the discussions, the Chinese scholar said.

　　Optimistic view

　　While some German media described Merz"s visit to China as a delicate balancing act, some headlined their reports with the huge potential of the Chinese market.

　　Merz also announced on Wednesday that Germany and China will resume intergovernmental consultations, which were launched in 2011 under former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and were last held in 2023, German media Welt reported.

　　German media Spiegel said before the trip that the German Chancellor has never prepared for a trip so meticulously.

　　Merz prepared for this meeting like it were a decisive exam, as he invited some of Germany"s leading China experts to the Chancellery, listened, asked questions, and formed a clear picture, German media waz.de said.

　　This visit appears to have two main objectives including strengthening and improving economic and trade cooperation with China, while conducting in-depth consultations on related international issues, Jiang noted. "This is not only about improving relations, but also about deepening understanding of China, including a clearer understanding of China"s positions and expectations on international affairs," he said.