WCIF Facilitates the Deepening of Sino-German Cooperation

In recent years, China and Germany have seen frequent high-profile visits and deepening cooperation on various fields. With strong support from central government leaders and relevant ministries and commissions, Sichuan, the permanent host place for the Western China International Fair (WCIF), has made active response to Sino-German cooperation strategies, playing a major role in inviting Germany as the Guest of Honor of the 16th WCIF. With WCIF as a bridge, Sino-German cooperation has become more profound.

I. Mutual understanding has been deepened. Both governments have paid high attention to the work of the Guest of Honor Nation. In the past year, under the guidance of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, German local governments, trade associations and enterprises have communicated with their Chinese counterparts in a multilateral and comprehensive way, discussing plans for relevant exhibition and activities to be held. China has further recognized German intended fields of cooperation and investment. By means of marketing events held at cities including Chengdu, Beijing, Berlin, Shanghai and Qingdao, Western China, especially Sichuan, has become more familiar and attractive to Germans. At those marketing events, German political and commercial representatives encouraged German enterprises to actively participate in WCIF, take full advantage of the abundant resources and huge development potential of the Western China, and seek new opportunities to expand the Chinese market.

II. Close communication has been promoted. To facilitate work related to the Guest of Honor Nation, the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Embassy of Germany in China, the Consulate General of Germany in Chengdu, the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, State of Bavaria China Office, the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Hannover-Messe International respectively sent representatives to negotiate with Chinese counterparts. During the 16th WCIF, a high-profile German delegation will be present, and there will be a Germany-themed exhibition hall featuring Industry 4.0 and digitalization, aviation industry, renewable energy and energy efficiency, innovative energy technologies, environmental protection, automobile and automobile-related industries, tourism, fashion design, electrically driven vehicles, and innovative environmental protection. Meanwhile, Sino-German Economic Cooperation Forum, Energy Efficiency Forum, Night of Germany, Intelligent Manufacturing – Industry 4.0 Sino-German Forum, and interactive activities between German representatives and Chinese counterparts from across the country will also be held.

III. Win-win cooperation has been facilitated. As an important part of the Sino-German cooperation on innovative industries, the process of putting Guest of Honor Nation into practice can play a role in helping both sides explore and promote deep and fruitful communications and cooperation on investment trade, science and education, culture-oriented tourism, and conference and exhibition. At present, Sichuan Bureau of Expo Affairs is in close contact with international exhibition agencies like Koelnmesse and Hannover-Messe to jointly explore cooperation on other fields and facilitate the internationalization of the conference and exhibition industry in Sichuan.