Taicang is a county-level city in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Taicang, a county-level city in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, has emerged as one of China's most closely connected cities to Europe, particularly Germany.

The city is home to more than 1,800 foreign-funded enterprises, including over 560 German companies. Among the more than 5,000 German enterprises operating in China, nearly 10 percent have chosen Taicang as their investment destination.

Taicang has gradually established an ecosystem highly compatible with German industry, urban development concepts and cultural exchange. For 18 consecutive years, the city has hosted Taicang Day events in Germany, which aim to deepen bilateral ties and expand business cooperation opportunities.

Beyond Germany, Taicang maintains close economic and cultural exchanges with multiple European countries, including Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Denmark.

Sustainability, a key priority for many European countries, is also a major focus of Taicang's development strategy. The city has launched construction of China's first zero-carbon industrial park, which meets dual certification standards from both China and Germany. In the logistics sector, Taicang Port has achieved annual carbon reductions of more than 21,500 metric tons.

Today, Taicang is not only regarded as a preferred destination for German enterprises seeking long-term growth in China, but the city is also positioning itself as a new gateway for European companies looking to connect with the broader Asia-Pacific market.