On August 30th, the “Xplore China 2023 - Xuchang” Sino-German Cooperation and Exchange Conference" was held in Xuchang. Mayor Liu Tao, Vice President of AHK Greater China, Ingo XU attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Deputy Mayor Zhao Shuhong presided over the meeting, and Zhang Xinliang, Deputy Inspector of Henan Provincial Department of Commerce also attended.

In his speech, Mayor Liu Tao expressed a warm welcome to the guests attending the conference on behalf of the CPC Xuchang Municipal Committee and Xuchang Municipal People's Government, as well as gratitude to friends from home and abroad who have shown concern and support for the development of Xuchang. He pointed out that Xuchang, located in the heart of Henan Province, boasts a long history and rich culture, advantageous geographical location and transportation, distinctive industrial characteristics, developed private economy, and excellent ecological environment. It is an important production base for power equipment, automobile parts, elevators, synthetic diamonds, and hair products, as well as a recycling base for renewable resources in China. In recent years, Xuchang has actively integrated into the “Belt and Road” Initiative, vigorously implemented an opening-up-driven strategy, and has become an important economic and trade partner with Germany. Especially since 2015, Xuchang has creatively established a mechanism for cooperation with Germany, and has planned and constructed the Sino-German (Xuchang) Industrial Park, covering a total area of 16 square kilometers. Xuchang has organized 19 investment promotion activities in Germany, promoting fruitful cooperation between the two sides in industrial development, technological innovation, vocational education, and other fields. Xuchang has also successfully joined the Sino-German Industrial City Alliance, becoming the eighth Sino-German SME cooperation zone in China. Up to now, a large number of well-known German companies, such as Befesa Group, ALBA Group and ALLGAIER Werke GmbH, Schindler Group from Switzerland, and Saint-Gobain Group of France, have invested in Xuchang, with a total investment of 400 million US dollars. It can be said that the cooperation between Xuchang and Germany has a solid foundation, broad space, and bright prospects.

Mayor Liu Tao stated that the purpose of the “Xplore China 2023 - Xuchang” event is to allow everyone to have a more intuitive understanding of Xuchang's industrial cluster development, promote further exchanges, deepen friendship, and enhance cooperation. He hoped that during this visit, friends would have in-depth communication and coordination with Xuchang enterprises, and jointly explore new opportunities for cooperation in complementary advantages in industries such as automobile parts, recycled metals, and energy conservation and environmental protection. This will lead to more cooperation outcomes and propel the cooperation between Xuchang and Germany to a higher level. Xuchang will resolutely expand its opening-up, adhere to regular mutual visits with Germany, continuously optimize the business environment, and provide the best conditions and services to facilitate the development and deepening of cooperation with German companies, thus creating a better future.

In his speech, Mr. Xu Jingbo expressed that Germany and China are two countries with long history and culture, as well as being among the most innovative and potential-driven nations in the world. Germany possesses advanced technology and mature experience in fields such as technological innovation and high-end manufacturing, while China is renowned worldwide for its vast market and efficient productivity. The cooperation between the two sides holds great promise and prospects. Xuchang, seizing opportunities and actively engaging in cooperation with Germany, has become a benchmark city for Sino-German cooperation in northern China and a distinctive model for Sino-German cooperation nationwide. He hoped that the two sides will further strengthen cooperation and exchanges to create a mutually beneficial, prosperous, and mutually developed future.

During the Conference, Zheng Lu, the Director of Xuchang Municipal Bureau of Commerce made recommendation for the Sino-German (Xuchang) International Cooperation Industrial Park,  officials from Changge City, Jian'an District and Demonstration Zone delivered recommendation of advantageous industries respectively. "I believe that Xuchang will attract more German investors and business partners, just like ALBA Group, to come to Xuchang for investment and entrepreneurship, and contribute to the high-quality development of Xuchang." On the evening of August 30th, at the Sino-German Cooperation and Exchange Conference, Liu Qiang, the General Manager of Xuchang ALBA Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., took the stage to share the successful experience of ALBA Group in Xuchang and looked back on the journey of cooperation with Xuchang. Liu Qiang stated that ALBA Group's vision is to create a waste-free world. "We will continue to invest in Xuchang, have confidence in its prospects, and assist Xuchang in achieving green transformation and the 'dual carbon' goals. Our development experience once again confirms that our decision to choose Xuchang was correct. I believe that you will also fall in love with this city!" Liu Qiang's words were resolute. "Our company mainly deals with enterprise management software, and Xuchang has many companies that are our partners, so this is not my first time visiting Xuchang, and Xuchang has left a very good impression on me!" Yu Shuang, the NE Manager of Sap (China) Co., Ltd., expressed her appreciation to Xuchang. "Through this event, we hope that Sap can have more cooperation opportunities with Xuchang's enterprises, and continue to leverage our advantages in digital technology and industrial empowerment to assist companies in digital transformation." Yu Shuang said.