Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
From February 25 to 26, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid an official visit to China, his first since taking office. According to the German business newspaper Handelsblatt, representatives of the German business community expressed exceptional interest in participating in the visit, with the number of applicants significantly exceeding the established quota. The final delegation included the heads and senior managers of approximately 30 leading companies from key German industries such as automotive, chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, and the circular economy. Amid growing uncertainty regarding the global economic outlook, this "high-level" delegation clearly demonstrates the deep interest and confidence of German business circles in the Chinese market.
This confidence is primarily based on the pragmatic logic of market choice. Trade and economic cooperation is the cornerstone of Sino-German relations. In recent years, bilateral trade has consistently exceeded $200 billion, while bilateral cumulative investment has exceeded $65 billion, accounting for almost a quarter of total trade between China and the EU. Trade with China supports 1 million jobs in Germany, and the Chinese market has attracted investment from over 5,000 German companies operating there.
Whether in the automotive, equipment manufacturing, chemical, pharmaceutical, or consumer goods industries, the Chinese market is not only an important sales outlet but also a stable and reliable growth platform. The scale and stability of the Chinese market provide indispensable support for German companies and allow them to maintain confidence in their global strategies. Over 130 German companies participated in the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) – the largest number among EU countries, a true "vote of confidence" in China. Hermann Simon, a renowned German management expert and author of "Hidden Champions – Breakthrough to Globality," notes that in a complex international environment, maintaining deep engagement in key markets is an important way to enhance competitiveness, and "the number of those wishing to join the delegation, far exceeding the quota, reflects this pragmatic approach."
Looking deeper, the deep integration of German and Chinese industries provides German companies with a sustainable growth impetus. Economic ties between the two countries have long since gone beyond mere trade and are increasingly manifested in mutual learning and the adoption of technologies, standards, and innovation systems, creating a picture of mutually beneficial industrial cooperation.
In recent years, German companies have been steadily expanding their research and innovation capabilities in China. From intelligent driving, to the transformation toward electric vehicles, to digital modernization, R&D and innovation platforms are being established here one after another. China is transforming from a mere sales market into a key hub for technological innovation and commercialization, helping German companies enhance their global competitiveness.
At the same time, more and more Chinese companies are choosing to invest in Germany, ranging from batteries for new energy sources and photovoltaic generation to cross-border logistics and the use of industrial robots. The technologies and process optimizations brought by Chinese companies are also contributing to the modernization and transformation of German industry. As Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of the German Bosch Group, noted, "China is the most dynamic innovation market we see, and it has become an important innovation base for us in new areas such as driver assistance systems and software."
Furthermore, China's policy of increasing openness also provides multinational corporations, including German ones, with valuable, stable expectations. In a context of rising protectionism, institutional certainty is becoming an increasingly important factor for multinational companies in their decision-making. In recent years, China has consistently increased its level of openness, continually optimizing and improving its business climate, providing foreign investors with a more transparent and predictable development environment. For many German companies with a long-standing presence in the global market, clear development vectors and stable policies are a source of confidence. Surveys show that 93% of German companies operating in China are prepared to further expand their presence in the Chinese market. One important reason is China's innovative activity, potential domestic demand, and political stability, which provide a solid foundation for their global strategy.
While disagreements in economic relations are certainly possible, the most striking feature of Sino-German relations remains equal mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. The fact that approximately 30 heads of leading companies accompany the German Chancellor, and that business decisions are coordinated with political consultations, sends a positive signal about the development of pragmatic cooperation with China.
German media agree that Merz's visit will inject new momentum into both Chinese-German and Chinese-European relations. As Merz himself emphasized on the eve of his visit, "We have a strategic interest in seeking partners around the world who think and act as we do, and, most importantly, who are willing to shape the future with us." For the German business community, tangible actions to "choose China" are a clear illustration of this movement toward a shared future.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.