German companies keep eye on China

Although the 18th CPC National Congress concluded earlier this month, its results and future significance are being closely analyzed by companies in Germany.

China's ambassador to the country sat down with top German entrepreneurs to discuss relations between the two economic powers.

The 18th CPC National Congress captured world-wide attention. And Germany was watching just as closely.

Chinese ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde was invited by German companies to discuss the congress.

At the breakfast meeting Monday morning, the ambassador helped the Germans better understand China's political system.

Topics included the 18th CPC National Congress, the spectacular changes in Chinese society, the country's booming economy as well as its future developments.

The ambassador also answered questions about China's real economy, resource development, and people's livelihood, including education, healthcare and public sanitation. The development of China's western region was also discussed.

Nicola Bruening, Germany Head, BMW, said, "For us, China is a very huge market. BMW has a production base in China's Shenyang.

A lot of BMWs are produced there and we also employ a lot of Chinese. We are not only interested in the Chinese market but also the country itself"

Dr. Peter Biesenbach, Sr. Vice President of Bosch, said, "One of the most important parts of today's gathering is that the new leadership of the Communist Party of China has mapped out specific ways for China's future development. They have stipulated a strategy for the development in the west of the country, and they have even set timetables for economic growth."

Wolfgang Niedermark, Berlin Head of Corporate & Governmental Relations, BASF, said, "Everyone here is very clear that China plays a huge role in the world's economy and politics.

That is also the part that we are interested in the most."

Organized by BASF, one of the world's largest chemical companies, the meetings' participants included representatives from leading German brands like Daimler, BMW, Volkswagen, Bosch, Thyssenkrupp, Germany Telecom, and the German Bank.

It covered topics ranging from manufacturing to banking and service industries.

Shi Mingde, Chinese Ambassador to Germany, said, "The participants are from the most prominent companies in Germany. They also maintain that China's development is closely connected with the whole world, including the EU and Germany.

China and Germany have already worked together on the world economic stage.

In 2011, China-Germany trade accounted for about one-third of all Sino-European trade.

The two economies depend greatly on each other. Out of all the countries in the European Union, China invests and imports the most technology from Germany.

Understanding China's 18th CPC National Congress is not only necessary for German companies to grow, but also for bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries to grow and prosper.