The 8th Sino-German Automobile Conference was held in Munich
On October 15th, the 8th China-Germany Automotive Conference took place in Munich, bringing together over 400 guests from the political, economic, and automotive sectors of both nations. The attendees engaged in discussions focused on the future direction of the global automotive industry and cooperation opportunities under the macro themes of green, low-carbon, and intelligent development.
In his opening remarks, Zhai Qian, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, emphasized that since its inception in 2017, the China-Germany Automotive Conference has become a vital platform for promoting exchanges and cooperation in the automotive industry between the two countries. He expressed hope that Germany and the European Union would approach cooperation with China in a rational manner. “Only with a pragmatic approach can we achieve mutual development and create fruitful outcomes for all parties involved,” Zhai stated. He underscored the deep interconnection of the industrial and supply chains between China and Germany, highlighting the promising prospects for collaboration in the automotive sector. “We welcome and look forward to German companies continuing to be partners, participants, and beneficiaries in China’s new round of open development.”
Yu Guangsheng, Deputy Director of the Investment Promotion Agency of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, reflected on the 40-year history of China-Germany automotive cooperation, noting its rich achievements and deep integration. “We’ve established a collaborative framework where ‘you have a part of me, and I have a part of you,'” Yu explained. He emphasized that the bilateral cooperation aligns with the mutual interests of both countries and offers robust support for the global automotive industry’s transformation and development. He expressed optimism that the collaboration would script new success stories amid the ongoing upgrades and green transitions within the industry.
Weidmann, Director of the International Department of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy, remarked on Bavaria’s long-standing friendly ties with China, particularly in the automotive sector. “Bavaria firmly believes that both China and Germany share an important responsibility in addressing challenges facing the automotive industry during its global transformation. Collaborative efforts will undoubtedly lead to viable solutions,” he noted. Weidmann also addressed the recent unilateral measures by the EU, including trade protection actions against Chinese electric vehicles, indicating that EU institutions are committed to pursuing constructive dialogue with China to find long-term solutions that serve both parties’ interests.
The conference also featured keynote speeches that explored the current development trends in the global automotive industry, the industry’s green transition and sustainable development, as well as the transformative impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence on vehicle manufacturing and mobility. Executives from relevant Chinese and German companies shared insights into their current operations and future prospects.
Additionally, the conference included a flag handover ceremony, announcing that the 9th China-Germany Automotive Conference will be held in Changchun, China, in 2025. The “meeting lounge” of the conference also opened, with 17 automotive companies and related organizations showcasing their initiatives.
This year’s China-Germany Automotive Conference was jointly organized by multiple organizations, including the Investment Promotion Agency of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Jilin Provincial Department of Commerce, Changchun Economic and Technological Development Zone, and the Brandenburg Automotive Suppliers Association in Berlin.