FRANKFURT, March 31 (Xinhua) -- German companies are expressing renewed confidence in economic cooperation with China, as business leaders and officials from the two countries gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of the China International Investment Promotion Agency (Germany), also known as CIIPA Germany.
The event, held last Friday in Frankfurt, brought together over 100 senior executives, officials, and trade representatives from both countries. The strong turnout and tone of the gathering underscored growing interest in expanding bilateral investment and trade ties.
"Germany and China - this is not just a success story of the past, but one that remains crucial today for prosperity in both our countries," said Hans-Peter Friedrich, former vice president of the German Bundestag and chairman of the Germany-China Parliamentary Group.
Since 2017, CIIPA Germany has helped foster cooperation by building platforms for industry cluster partnerships, launching regional offices, and working with more than 20 German partners to promote strategic collaboration in key sectors including automotive, smart manufacturing, life sciences, and green industries, said Yu Guangsheng, deputy director of the investment promotion bureau of China's Ministry of Commerce.
"CIIPA Germany has effectively built a bridge for Sino-German cooperation," said Huang Yiyang, consul general of China in Frankfurt. He noted that through targeted industry connections, study tours, annual investment reports, and forums such as "Invest in China," the agency has played a central role in connecting regional resources and stakeholders from both countries.
Among the business leaders in attendance was Guenter Weippert, CEO of Weippert Kunststofftechnik GmbH & Co. KG, who first visited China last September as part of a German entrepreneur delegation organized by CIIPA Germany.
"Visiting China has been a truly delightful experience. I have met many enthusiastic representatives from Chinese companies," said Weippert, who credited the trip with opening up new opportunities for cross-border cooperation. He added that he is looking forward to attending another trade and economic event with a Chinese delegation this week.
Weippert's enthusiasm was echoed by other German participants who joined the trip to China last year. More than 20 business representatives took part, many of whom met potential Chinese partners and initiated talks that have since developed into concrete investment plans and agreements.
Volker Treier, a member of the executive board at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), expressed optimism that China would remain an essential market for German companies for decades to come. Herbert Diess, former Volkswagen CEO and Infineon board member, highlighted China's low-carbon transformation as a compelling reason for global partners to collaborate with the country on climate goals.
"Cooperation with China is a must if the world is to successfully tackle climate change," said Diess.
Friday's event also saw the launching of the Sino-German Enterprise Investment Cooperation Annual Report (2024-2025), which features insights from 30 leading executives across both countries. The report outlines continued opportunities for collaboration in technology, innovation, and green industries.
Markus H. Mueller, vice president of the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce, described bilateral ties as extending beyond economics. "Our relations bridge cultures, lay a foundation of mutual trust, and drive forward-looking innovation," he said.
Frank Aletter, managing director of the Hessian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, urged governments, agencies, and business organizations from both sides to work together, "to ensure that investment flows are not only maintained but made future-proof."
Friedrich expressed his optimism toward the future of bilateral cooperation, saying: "even if conditions change, the success story of Sino-German cooperation can and will continue with a firm resolve." ■
