German firms in China step up innovation to hone competitiveness: insider

Augmenting research and development by German enterprises in China will boost their competitiveness in the world's second largest economy, said a German insider on Wednesday in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

The 2024 Innovation Report, released in early September, indicates a growing trend among German companies in China to localize their research and development efforts.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Martin Klose, executive director of the German Chamber of Commerce in China - South and Southwest China, attributed this shift to intensified competition.

"The main reason for this development is that the competition gets tougher. The Chinese competitors are getting faster and the German companies actually want to keep up and increase the competitiveness by increasing the focus on innovation. Just to give you some figures here, also, a few 63 percent are currently already engaging in research. That's a plus 6 percent to the 2022 survey which we did and 69 percent of the German companies engaging already in development in China. That is a plus 4 percent compared to the 2022 development. Overall, our impression and feedback from our members who participated in that survey in 2024 show an increase in localizing activity when it comes to R and D (research and development) in China," he said.

The report highlights several advantages of localizing research and development, such as enhancing product competitiveness and market access.

"China is quite unique when it comes to its innovation system. So mostly the German companies innovate actually by focusing on product development. So it's like a focus on the basics, I would say, making their product better, engaging with their customers, with their clients, and just simply to try to make it better. What they can learn or benefit from engaging here, more in R and D in China, is actually working on the innovation speed while choosing to work with strategic partners here in China. And also, of course, if you look at the large supplier base, the large market size, also working directly with their customers here makes creating new products easier, faster and meet more the market needs," said Klose.

German firms in China step up innovation to hone competitiveness: insider

German firms in China step up innovation to hone competitiveness: insider

The 2025 Spring/Summer Beijing Fashion Week concluded on Tuesday, embracing new consumer trends and creating innovative consumer experiences through various activities.

This year's edition, running from Sept. 12 to Sept. 17, featured 74 online and offline events, drawing 297 brands. More than 30 percent of the brands were led by well-established designers and major names in the industry.

A key highlight was the "China-Chic Creative Show", which focused on promoting homegrown brands.

In addition, the event introduced a digital fashion segment, demonstrating the growing influence of digital technology within the fashion world.

The fashion week also featured a forum on China's fashion economy under the theme "AI-driven innovation leads the future". 

The forum brought together industry leaders, scholars, prominent entrepreneurs, and fashion pioneers to explore how artificial intelligence, driven by new quality productive forces, is unlocking new opportunities for Chinese fashion brands and companies, helping them navigate future development trends.

"This year, we introduced a program to support young designers. We aim to foster emerging talent through initiatives that cover everything from lreleases, showcasing, promotion and monetization," said Gu Weida, chairman of the presidium of organizing committee of the Beijing Fashion Week.

The event also made its its efforts to turn the rich cultural resources of Yushu Zang Autonomous Prefecture, a city in northwest China's Qinghai Province, into commercial success.

Designers and brands from both Beijing and Yushu, inspired by Yushu's cultural assets, collaborated to create collections, which were showcased on the Beijing Fashion Week.

"Thanks to two years of continuous collaboration and innovation,  the event has significantly elevated Yushu's popularity, helping local apparel companies with high-quality development and boosting the region's culture and tourism industry," said Zhao Liping, deputy head of Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Yushu.

The Beijing Fashion Week, launched in 2016, leverages the city's rich historical and cultural heritage along with its international fashion industry resources to promote original design concepts from Chinese brands.

Beijing Fashion Week wraps up, highlighting China-chic, AI-driven innovation