Taicang Day in Munich: Celebrating 18 Years of Sino-German Industrial Innovation

The event attracted nearly 300 political and business leaders to explore new paths for bilateral collaboration. Since its inception in Stuttgart in 2008, "Taicang Day" has evolved from a simple investment briefing into a multi-dimensional platform integrating technology, education, and sports.

The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who shared their insights on deepening cooperation. Gudrun Weidmann, Director for Internationalization at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs; Zhai Qian, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Germany; Chen Xiaodong, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Commerce; Dr. Christian Scharpf, Deputy Mayor of Munich and Head of the Department of Labor and Economic Affairs, and Michaela Schenk, Chair of the Foreign Trade Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Munich and Upper Bavaria, delivered opening remarks. The proceedings were moderated by Stefan Geiger, Chairman of the China-Western Bavaria Business and Cultural Association.

Chen Gao, Secretary of the CPC Taicang Municipal Committee, delivered a keynote address titled "Green, Innovation, and Integration: Establishing a Model for Sino-German Cooperation." In his speech, Chen drew a poetic parallel between Munich and Taicang's home region of Suzhou, describing both as paragons of the perfect fusion between tradition and modernity where cutting-edge technology and modern industry coexist harmoniously with rich cultural heritage.

Reflecting on 33 years of deep engagement with Germany, Chen emphasized that Taicang's bilateral cooperation has reached a historic turning point, transitioning from merely attracting foreign capital to fostering two-way investment, and from industrial supply-chain support to the co-creation of a complete industrial ecosystem. The Secretary highlighted three flagship Taicang projects recently included in the official achievement list of the high-level Sino-German summit—the Schaeffler Humanoid Robot Digital Factory, the Sino-German Taicang Zero-Carbon Park, and the Taicang Rhine-Neckar Innovation Center. These milestones vividly demonstrate Taicang's momentum in pivoting toward green transformation, collaborative innovation, and deep bilateral integration. Taicang's strategy remains built on the philosophy of long-termism, with Chen reaffirming the city's dedication to optimizing a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment while reinforcing its brand identity as a "home away from home" for German community.

Following these addresses, the event yielded several milestone agreements aimed at facilitating practical cooperation, including the official inauguration of the VDE China representative office in Taicang and the signing of a new batch of German scientific innovation projects. To further support the internationalization of local firms, the Taicang Enterprise Overseas Service Center was officially unveiled, alongside a dedicated matchmaking session for Chinese companies expanding into global markets. Furthermore, State Grid Taicang Power Supply Company presented its latest initiatives in Green Compliance and Environmental Sustainability, a presentation that received widespread acclaim for aligning industrial power solutions with international ESG standards.

Taicang's strategic appeal is rooted in its premier location adjacent to Shanghai and its world-class infrastructure. Situated within a 30-minute commuting radius of central Shanghai, the city offers rapid access to Hongqiao Airport in 20 minutes and Pudong International Airport in just over an hour. Its maritime gateway, the Port of Taicang, features a 12.5-meter deep-water channel and ranks 8th in China and 20th globally, with an annual throughput exceeding 10 million TEUs. This logistics network supports a robust industrial ecosystem of over 5,000 enterprises, where 70% of vehicle components can be sourced locally.

Widely recognized as the "Home of German Enterprises" in China, Taicang now hosts over 560 German firms, including 60 "hidden champion" companies. This specialized cluster represents more than 10% of all German manufacturing enterprises in China. The city's collaborative success is further evidenced by projects mentioned above in Chen Gao's speech such as the Schaeffler Humanoid Robot Digital Factory and the Sino-German Taicang Zero-Carbon Park, and the Taicang Rhine-Neckar Innovation Center, all of which were included in the official achievement list of the German Chancellor's visit to China.

To support its growing international community, Taicang has developed a sophisticated service ecosystem. The city's Foreigner Service Center integrates 73 specialized services, supported by the "Hi Taicang" card which provides foreign residents with enhanced convenience in healthcare, education, and transportation. Complemented by cultural landmarks like the Rothenburg-themed street and authentic German bakeries, Taicang has created an environment where international partners can truly root themselves for long-term success.
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