Germany's chancellor has touched down in China as German businesses sound the alarm about a yawning trade imbalance.

Axar.az informs, citing BBC, imports into Germany from China were more than double the value of those exported back last year – according to federal statistics.

"We want a partnership with China that is balanced, reliable, regulated and fair," said Friedrich Merz, before leaving for Beijing.

Merz is also expected to press China to use its influence with Moscow to help end the war in Ukraine. However, the huge trade gap looms large over these talks as the chancellor takes along a sizeable business delegation.