Several leading German companies based in Taicang, including Brose and Kern Liebers, were invited to a roundtable meeting in Shanghai on April 15. The event was part of the second leg of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to China.

Representatives from these companies highlighted their experiences investing in China, particularly in Taicang, Suzhou, Jiangsu province, and discussed the evolving landscape of Sino-German economic and trade cooperation in the current global context.

Simon Veit, senior vice-president and regional representative of Kern Liebers in China, emphasized the immense potential of the Chinese market as a key driver for their business growth. He credited the robust support from the Taicang government and the favorable business environment for their stable and continuous expansion.

"We're deeply encouraged by the constructive discussions and the reaffirmation of the strong ties between China and Germany," Veit added, expressing unwavering confidence in China's and Taicang's future prospects.

Xiang Jie, president of Brose China, reflected on Brose's nearly three decades of development in China, underscoring the company's confidence in the market's potential. "China is not only the world's largest automotive market but also one of the most vibrant hubs for technological innovation. We will continue to deepen our presence in China, enhance our core competitiveness, and contribute significantly to the transformation and upgrading of the automotive industry," Xiang stated.

Taicang currently serves as Brose's largest manufacturing base in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, Brose has initiated its fourth project in Taicang.

The commitment of these German companies, demonstrated through decisive investments and continuous capital injections, underscores their confidence in the Chinese economy and their approval of Taicang's investment environment.

As of this year, the total number of German-funded enterprises in Taicang has surpassed 500, with actual foreign investment in the first quarter reaching $90.46 million.

A group photo of Olaf Scholz and attendees of the roundtable. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_5d51cb296177]