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North Rhine-Westphalia and Düsseldorf: Hotspot for Chinese companies

Chinese New Year reception in Düsseldorf

In keeping with tradition, the state capital Düsseldorf and the state-owned economic development agency NRW.INVEST hosted the New Year's reception for the Chinese business community on Wednesday, 15 January. Around 350 guests, including numerous representatives of Chinese companies and institutions from Düsseldorf and North Rhine-Westphalia, gathered in the Böhler area of Düsseldorf where they were welcomed by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Affairs, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, Mayor Klaudia Zepunkte representing Mayor Thomas Geisel, and the Chinese Consul General Haiyang Feng.

Mayor Thomas Geisel: "Relations between Chinese companies and the state capital of Düsseldorf are developing very well despite the current trade policy challenges. Both the number and quality of companies at the location are pointing upwards. Around 4,600 Chinese now live in Düsseldorf, enriching our international city with their lively community. Together we will master the existing tasks and continue to work closely together for mutual benefit."

Economics and Digital Affairs Minister Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart: "North Rhine-Westphalia and China are important partners: This is shown by the close economic ties and the joint projects with the Chinese partner provinces. To ensure that relations between our states continue to grow stronger in the future, we need a framework that ensures mutual trust. A first important step in this direction is the conclusion of an investment agreement between the EU and China, which has my whole-hearted support."

Chinese Consul General Haiyang Feng: "The exploration of promising new opportunities for both sides by China and Germany's most populous and economically strongest state NRW in a partnership accompanies the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany, promotes the open world economic order with positive stimuli and gives it new momentum."

Around 1,100 companies from Greater China have established themselves in North Rhine-Westphalia, including 610 in the state capital alone. In 2019, NRW.INVEST 63 investment projects by Chinese companies settled in North Rhine-Westphalia. In Düsseldorf, the work of the China Competence Center has resulted in the addition of 50 Chinese companies.

For example, the broad-based mobile communications cluster in North Rhine-Westphalia recorded significant growth in 2019: The three Chinese tech groups OPPO, VIVO and Xiaomi opened branches in Düsseldorf to expand their European business from here. This means that four of the six smartphone manufacturers with the world's largest market shares will in future be based in the state capital. The close logistical link between China and North Rhine-Westphalia was also further expanded last year. China Railway Container Transport's European subsidiary settled in Duisburg, the world's largest inland port. This further strengthens North Rhine-Westphalia's important role in China's Belt & Road strategy and emphasizes the central importance of the location in trade with China.

The companies already located here are also developing positively and utilizing the location advantages in NRW and Düsseldorf. For example, ZCC Cutting Tools, manufacturer of carbide tools, invested 2.5 million euros in a new test and demonstration center in Düsseldorf-Lichtenbroich.