German Executives Unanimously Declare China a Key Global Growth Engine

During German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to China, top executives from German companies such as BMW and Volkswagen reaffirmed their strategic commitment to the Chinese market. BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse emphasized that overlooking China’s vast market scale and innovation potential would mean missing out on global growth opportunities. Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China, noted that China is no longer just a sales market but has become a hub of innovation and a key technology partner, setting industry standards in areas like electrification and artificial intelligence. Bilateral trade between China and Germany reached RMB 1.51 trillion in 2025, with China regaining its position as Germany’s largest trading partner. A survey shows that 93% of German companies operating in China plan to further deepen their presence in the market. Experts observe that German firms are increasingly integrating into China’s innovation ecosystem through localization and leveraging their China experience to enhance their global operations. Against the backdrop of global supply chain restructuring, Sino-German cooperation is widely regarded as a crucial pillar for stabilizing global trade.