Chongqing - "The opportunities for cooperation between China and Germany far outweigh the areas of competition," stated Yang Ming, Managing Director of EMAG (Chongqing) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., during an interview with Bridging News on April 16.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Chongqing for a three-day visit to China on April 14. He was accompanied by a business delegation and visited locations such as Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. and Testbed 2.

More than 5,000 German companies operate in China, which has been Germany's largest trading partner for many years. 

German brand EMAG has a leading market share globally and in China

"I have been with EMAG for 19 years," Yang said. "I believe that China and Germany are two countries that naturally complement each other regarding product structure, geographic location, and civil society exchanges."

EMAG (Chongqing) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned enterprise invested by the German EMAG Group in Chongqing, which covers the entire spectrum of main machining processes in the metalworking industry.

"Since our projects involve customized products, extensive communication with customers is essential during pre-sales, delivery, and after-sales maintenance," said Yang.

Yang explained that the decision to open a branch in Chongqing was mainly to better serve its customers and respond to their needs. The company targets the central and western regional markets, catering to industries like automotive parts, aerospace, and engineering machinery.

Yang highlighted that as a global leader in vertical pick-up turning machines,  EMAG boasts the highest market share worldwide and in China.

Sino-German Park to attract more German enterprises to Chongqing 

EMAG (Chongqing) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. is now situated in the Sino-German Shuitu Intelligent Manufacturing Park in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area and currently stands as the sole German enterprise in the park.

Xiao Hongyan, a representative of the Sino-German Shuitu Intelligent Manufacturing Park, described the park as a major endeavor by Chongqing to establish an inland open gateway. She expressed hope that the park would facilitate deeper cooperation between German enterprises and Chongqing.

Xiao views Chongqing as a city bursting with new vitality through its transformation into a significant industrial base, complemented by Germany's globally recognized industrial prowess.

She expressed her desire for both parties to enhance collaborations in sectors such as automobiles, high-end manufacturing, logistics, industry, and culture, aiming to further capitalize on Chongqing's industrial strengths.

Foreign investment shifting toward Central and Western China

During German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's recent visit to Chongqing, Yang highlighted a shift in foreign investment from China's coastal regions to its central and western areas.

Yang explained that in the past, foreign interest was mainly focused on coastal cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou. However, with China's economic expansion, numerous industries, including foreign companies, are now venturing into the central and western regions.

"I believe this is one of the reasons Chancellor Scholz chose Chongqing as his first stop," he added.

Yang also noted that one of Scholz's initial visits was to Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd., a joint venture between the German engineering firm Bosch and Chongqing-based Qingling Motors, a premium commercial vehicle manufacturer.

Yang stated, "Germany is a traditional powerhouse in the automotive sector, while China is leading in new energy vehicles." 

He emphasized that a critical focus of Sino-German cooperation is the new energy industry, particularly in technology, research and development, and market expansion. "This is the way forward," he concluded.