German firms bank on western China

More German companies are looking for business opportunities in western China, as a delegation of business leaders from the European nation visited Southwest China's Chongqing on Wednesday to deepen their understanding of the local market and explore new collaboration projects.

The delegation comprised over 20 leaders from sectors such as food and agricultural product processing, trade and retail, business consulting, and publishing, among others.

On Wednesday, the CEOs toured the Chongqing branch of CRIntermodal and the International Logistics Hub in Inland China Exhibition Center in Shapingba district, where they gained firsthand insights into the operational processes of the China-Europe Railway Express.

The railway route reaches as far as Duisburg, Germany, a partner city of Chongqing. Not far from there is Zurich, Switzerland, the hometown of the Swiss chocolate giant Lindt & Sprungli. The CEO of the German and Chinese branches of the company, Michal Spiller, was in attendance along with the delegation.

Given that Zurich is also a partner city of Chongqing, Spiller said he was excited to learn more about the municipality. "It's really impressive to see how the city has developed as a center for global trade in all directions," he said.

China and Germany, the world's second and third largest economies, respectively, have witnessed a growing economic relationship in recent years. According to Chinese customs statistics, the import and export of goods between China and Germany reached 1.51 trillion yuan ($219 billion) in 2025, marking a 5.2 percent increase year-on-year. Germany remains China's largest trading partner in Europe, and China has once again become Germany's largest trading partner after a one-year gap.

Statistics show that the Yangtze River Delta region hosts the highest concentration of German companies in China, accounting for over 60 percent of all German enterprises in the country. At present, the German firms are expanding their interest into western China.

Chongqing, with over 32 million people on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, has become a focal point for this inland expansion thanks to its comprehensive industrial strength and strategic location.

"China has a huge potential market, and it's still growing," said Thomas Bonschab, partner and managing director of TiNC International and leader of the delegation.

"We picked our locations for good reasons in order to make sure we can cover different kinds of businesses. And I would like to show my group how to catch up with this and make business."

Chongqing, a burgeoning economic hub in Southwest China, is home to 39 of the 41 industrial categories, making it one of the most comprehensive industrial systems in China. "This means that regardless of what German companies produce, they can find the supporting supply chains and materials they need here," said Zhang Yongwu, director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, during a meeting with the delegation.

In a meeting with local senior officials, the German delegation expressed their desire to enhance communication, foster cooperation across various fields, and jointly explore international markets for mutual benefit, according to Chongqing Daily.

Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn