German companies successful in China

Over the past three decades, China has developed rapidly and undergone massive urbanization and as China moves up the technology ladder, German industry is its partner of choice.

German companies, especially mid-sized ones, excel as global technology leaders and many of them already run operations in China. They are the core of Germany's industrial strength and their smart products, expertise, and high quality make a vital contribution to modernization and economic success in China.

The Chinese government wants to pursue a low carbon economy.

Emission standards are being upgraded with consumption incentives for smaller cars and policies to promote the application of advanced technologies.

German companies in China operate in most industries and service sectors - from infrastructure and energy to machinery and mobility - and they are well-known internationally for developing and applying low-carbon technologies.

The German environmental sector in particular can offer China the products needed to achieve the ambitious goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 40-45 percent per unit of GDP between 2005 and 2020.

Mobility is another major area where efforts towards a low carbon economy are required. The e-vehicles displayed at the Beijing Auto Show, including numerous models from German car manufacturers, demonstrate that China will be an important market for low-emission mobility.

Visions of future mobility are also showcased in the "balancity" pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, which is Germany's largest Expo pavilion in history.

Many German companies are either official sponsors or have contributed to the exhibitions, presenting strong commitments to greener future cities.

The exhibits cover a range of know-how from industrial energy and infrastructure solutions to articles for daily use such as home appliances.

Sophisticated architectural and urban planning concepts are a further attraction. Such innovative diversity highlights Germany as a land of ideas.

Today, Germany is by far China's biggest European trading partner and China the most important export market for Germany in Asia. German industry will continue the centennial history of success in China and contribute to the prosperity in this country

The author Ulrich Walker is chairman of the German Chamber of Commerce in China, Beijing, and chairman & CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia Ltd

(China Daily 05/19/2010 page17)