On Dec 20, Taicang hosted the 2025 Industrial Machine Tool Technology and Industry Investment Conference, a high-profile event that united policymakers, tech innovators, capital investors, and industry pioneers to accelerate advancements in industrial mother machines — the cornerstone of manufacturing equipment.

Dubbed the "foundation of manufacturing", industrial mother machines determine a nation's overall industrial and defense capabilities. The summit chose Taicang for its unique ecosystem. The city, known as China's "Hometown of German Enterprises", hosts six of Germany's top 10 machine tool companies and boasts a 70 percent regional supply chain integration rate.

Taicang's dominance in high-end equipment manufacturing is evident, with 65 key industrial mother machine enterprises generating 13.96 billion yuan ($1.99 billion) in output value in 2024. The city also supports thriving sectors like aerospace, advanced materials, and biomedicine, creating stable demand. Its first Sino-German vocational education park ensures a skilled workforce, aligning with Germany's precision engineering standards.

The two-day summit featured technical forums, factory tours, and B2B (business-to-business) matchmaking sessions. Local firms like Taicang ReaGold Precision Technology showcased breakthroughs, such as sub-5-micron drilling accuracy. "Taicang mirrors Stuttgart's ecosystem, fostering German-style precision and innovation," said CEO Guo Guangqiang.

Machine parts are displayed during the 2025 Industrial Machine Tool Technology and Industry Investment Conference. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Strategic initiatives were also announced, including the Suzhou Industrial Mother Machine Innovation Center and two new investment funds to bolster local startups. A 12-point policy package offers financial incentives for R&D, clustering, and talent development.

By aligning with global trends in "high-end" and "intelligent" manufacturing, Taicang aims to become a hub for Yangtze River Delta innovation, leveraging its German industrial ties to propel China's high-end manufacturing ambitions.