High-level opening-up offers host of opportunities to German companies
China’s initiatives to accelerate the establishment of a modern industrial system will not only provide space for international cooperation in industry and supply chains, but also create opportunities for German companies to invest in the country, said government officials and business executives.
They noted that advancements in science and technology will provide an impetus for China’s economic resurgence, with foreign businesses poised to play a substantial role in supporting China’s high-quality growth.
Jin Zhuanglong, China’s minister of industry and information technology, said that China will continue to expand high-level opening-up, implement measures regarding the complete removal of restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with companies across the globe, in order to bolster the optimization and upgrade of industry and supply chains.
More efforts will be made to support foreign businesses to establish research and development centers in China; carry out technological research and industrial applications in collaboration with Chinese companies; and expand international cooperation in digital transformation as well as the green and low-carbon growth of the manufacturing industry, he added.
With its output accounting for more than 30 percent of the global total, China is the world’s largest manufacturer, ranking first for 14 consecutive years, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Ola Kaellenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz, stressed the group’s commitment to deepening its footprint in China and advancing electric and digital transformation with its Chinese partners, as well as supporting China’s modernization.
“Today, China is not only the largest market for new energy vehicles but also an innovation hub with industry-leading companies and a mature new energy vehicle supply chain. We believe the Chinese market will continue to grow and play a leading role in bringing new innovations to our industry,” said Kaellenius.
China has been sending positive signals to advance high-level opening-up in recent years, strengthening confidence in the market, he added.
Stefan Hartung, board chairman of German industrial conglomerate Robert Bosch, said that China’s focus on technology is expected to align with global trends, bolstering the country’s role in the world economy.
The outlook is positive, as international trade and collaboration not only benefit China but have beneficial implications for the global community, Hartung said.
After opening an innovation and manufacturing center in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, in 2023, Hartung said the group will expand such capabilities across China.
“This shift indicates that our focus is no longer solely on market presence and production in China. Instead, the emphasis is now on innovation,” said Hartung.
Bosch has witnessed rapid growth alongside local partners and customers. It currently has a robust presence, boasting 34 manufacturing sites and 26 R&D centers in the Chinese market.
Dekra Group, a Stuttgart-based testing, inspection and certification group with nearly 50,000 employees worldwide, plans to invest in a number of Chinese cities, such as Shanghai and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, this year to build industrial parks and laboratories to sustain business growth.
This decision has been driven by China’s surging export opportunities in sectors such as electric vehicles, household appliances, renewable energy and artificial intelligence-related products. It is also coupled with the country’s efforts to attract multinational corporations to its trade in services industries.
In addition to intensifying investment in Shanghai and Guangzhou, Dekra will expand its facilities and build new laboratories in Suzhou and Hefei, Anhui province, this year.
“We foresee new growth drivers emerging in various sectors, particularly in technology and innovation, driven by continued reforms and opening-up policies,” said Kilian Aviles, senior vicepresident for Dekra Asia-Pacific region and managing director of Dekra China.
Led by Chinese manufacturers’ ongoing efforts to broaden their sales networks globally, Aviles said China’s commitment to advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G infrastructure, autonomous driving and renewable energy offers exciting opportunities.
“This trend aligns well with Dekra’s strategic focus areas, including future vehicles and mobility, information and cybersecurity, sustainability, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, and remote services, presenting significant investment opportunities,” he added.