The significant number of Chinese enterprises in Düsseldorf, the Capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, makes this city central to dynamic exchanges and cooperation between China and Germany.
The Mayor of the City of Düsseldorf and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Messe Düsseldorf, Dr. Stephan Keller led a Senior Delegation on a five-day visit to China. Dr. Keller is the first European Mayor who is welcomed by Mayor Gong Zheng from Shanghai following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government Meetings
- Meet Gong Zheng, the Mayor of Shanghai
Dr. Stephan Keller, the Mayor of Düsseldorf, on April 14, was invited to meet Mayor Gong Zheng and discussed the cooperation between #Shanghai and #Düsseldorf, with Mr. Wolfram Diener, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, and Mr. Marius J. Berlemann, General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co, Ltd. participated in this meeting too.
Mayor Gong Zheng highlighted the deep foundation that underpins the relationship between Shanghai and Düsseldorf, and the tangible achievements in various fields, including #economy,#trade, #conferences, #exhibitions, as well as #education. Mayor Gong Zheng expressed the desire of Shanghai to expand economic and trade exchanges with Düsseldorf and to deepen the cooperation not only through collaboration in business enterprises in both cities, but also through #art, #culture, #sport and people-to-people exchanges.
Dr. Keller emphasized that #Düsseldorf is a vital destination for #investment in Germany and Europe, having already attracted over 600 Chinese business enterprises. Dr. Keller also indicated he is encouraging Düsseldorf companies to invest in Shanghai, to ensure shared prosperity and enriched cultural ties. The possibility of a direct flight connection between Shanghai and Düsseldorf was discussed as well. Both Mayors expressed their willingness to support this idea.
- Meet Qin Weizhong, the Mayor of Shenzhen
Dr. Keller, together with Mr. Diener and Mr. Berlemann was invited to meet Mr. Qin Weizhong, the Mayor of Shenzhen, on April 17.
Mayor Qin Weizhong highlighted Shenzhen’s economic and social progress reaffirmed the city’s commitment to Düsseldorf with medical start-ups at MEDICA in Düsseldorf. He expressed a desire to attract investment from Düsseldorf and cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with investors from Düsseldorf, highlighting the potential for win-win outcomes.
Dr. Keller indicated the eagerness of Düsseldorf to collaborate with Shenzhen to advance medical, scientific and technological innovation, green and low-carbon development, education, conferences and exhibitions. Such cooperations would facilitate Chinese enterprises in their endeavors to penetrate the German market, while also encouraging firms from Düsseldorf to invest in #Shenzhen.
The Düsseldorf Reception
The Düsseldorf Reception at the new Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai (#MDS) office at Sina Mas Plaza on April 14, impressed all who attended, including the representatives of Düsseldorf companies and of Chinese enterprises in Düsseldorf. Many friendships were made or renewed that will lead to future benefits for Shanghai and Düsseldorf. Sinar Mas Plaza around the north bund is with the height of 320 meters, the tallest building in Puxi, Shanghai.
Among other important interactions with Government Leaders, Dr. Keller and his Delegation attended the 104th China International Occupational Safety & Health Goods Expo (CIOSH 2023) and the 35th International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries (CHINAPLAS 2023). Mr. Diener and Mr. Berlemann played key roles in ensuring the success of the Delegation and its interactions with Chinese officials.
Industry Collaboration
- CIOSH 2023
The 104th China International Occupational Safety & Health Goods Expo (CIOSH 2023) welcomed 1,522 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions and brought 47,616 trade buyers to Shanghai. One of the most important events at CIOSH was that, through the efforts of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Dr. Keller and Mr. Lei Limin, Chairman of the China Textile Commerce Association, signed a strategic memorandum of development to strengthen their cooperation for the CIOSH autumn exhibition and to assist Chinese producers of personal protective equipment to explore multiple markets outside China.
- CHINAPLAS 2023
The highly anticipated CHINAPLAS 2023, which focused on “A Brighter and Shared Future, Powered by Innovation”, welcomed over 3,900 renowned global exhibitors. Dr. Keller and Mr. Diener, as well as Mr. Stanley Chu, Chairman of the Adsale Group, inaugurated CHINAPLAS 2023. As the co-organizer of CHINAPLAS, Messe Düsseldorf China has been proud to see CHINAPLAS grow into the leading show for the plastics and rubber industries in #Asia .
Company Visits
The Delegation also visited several companies and sites, including Bank of China, Huawei Group, ZTE Group, and Shenzen’s Mawan Smart Port. Dr. Keller expressed keen interest in advancements in automation and intelligent applications in China, recognizing their notable achievements.
Messe Düsseldorf GmbH
The success of the Delegation would not have been possible without Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, a globally renowned exhibition organizer, which has two subsidiaries in China, Messe Düsseldorf (China) Co., Ltd. in Hong Kong, SAR and Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in Shanghai. These companies have not only presented numerous high-quality industry trade events in China, but also introduced cutting-edge products and technologies and promoted the healthy development of various industries in the country. Also, they have assisted numerous Chinese enterprises to attend shows in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. will maintain its commitment to pioneering innovation and to continue with progress. The company will forge further strategic partnerships and build an all-encompassing exhibitions and trade platforms to advance the success of China’s business enterprises.
