China’s transition toward high-quality development is creating new opportunities for global cooperation, according to Clemens Schuette, chairman of the German-Chinese Business Association.
In a recent interview, Schuette said China is entering a new phase marked by quality improvement, technological upgrading and structural optimization. Economic growth, he noted, is increasingly measured not simply by GDP expansion, but by gains in efficiency, productivity, technology and sustainability.
China is placing strong emphasis on emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology and biotechnology. Schuette described this focus as a long-term strategic commitment that will influence both China’s domestic development and the global industrial landscape.
As China’s market continues to upgrade, rising demand for advanced products and services is creating new avenues for international collaboration. He emphasized that credible and reciprocal openness will be crucial for strengthening global economic resilience amid rising protectionism in some regions.
China-Germany economic ties remain deeply interconnected. China regained its position as Germany’s largest trading partner in 2025. More than 5,000 German companies operate in China, while approximately 3,000 Chinese firms are active in Germany, reflecting strong structural interdependence.
Schuette noted that China has evolved from a low-cost manufacturing base into a major market and an innovation hub. Companies such as BMW, Volkswagen, Siemens and BASF are expanding local research and engineering operations in China.
German businesses increasingly view China as a global innovation leader. Many firms are accelerating product development cycles within China and exploring cooperation in third-country markets.
On global governance, Schuette highlighted China’s continued support for multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. He also underscored China’s critical role in advancing global climate goals, particularly in renewable energy and electric vehicles.
“China plays an active and shaping role in the global economy,” Schuette said, adding that stable and rational cooperation is increasingly valuable in today’s uncertain global environment.
