China and Germany are deepening their collaboration in business and technology, with a significant shift in the dynamic of innovation and expertise exchange. A recent joint research report, revealed at the China-Germany (China-Europe) Hidden Champions Forum 2026 in Beijing, highlights that both countries are now equally contributing to this bilateral flow, moving beyond the previous trend of mainly German influences entering China.
The forum, held in Beijing’s Shunyi district, gathered more than 400 business leaders and representatives from Europe and China, emphasizing the growing importance of this partnership. The study within the report indicates that European companies are increasingly committed to expanding their footprint in China. Notably, 38 percent of European firms surveyed plan to boost their research and development investments in China, and 40 percent aim to grant more operational independence to their Chinese branches from their German headquarters.
In a sign of this mutual technological integration, leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers such as Li Auto and NIO have set up research and design centers in Germany. This development underscores the expanding two-way technological collaboration between the two nations, as industries seek to leverage each other’s strengths and innovations.
A significant outcome of the forum was the introduction of a public service station aimed at assisting businesses in navigating technical trade barriers. Additionally, a new partnership initiative was launched to encourage German and European companies to engage with Beijing’s economic and technological cooperation zone in Shunyi. This move is designed to foster a more robust and integrated business environment between the regions.
Tang Wenhong, an official at the event, expressed Beijing’s commitment to further nurturing these cooperative ties between Chinese and German enterprises. The city is actively working to attract more innovative companies, reinforcing its status as a hub of international science and technology. This strategic approach aims to create a vibrant ecosystem for ongoing technological and business advancements.