According to a report by China Daily on March 21…
German companies are increasingly turning their attention to inland China, as part of a broader shift to deepen their presence in the country’s domestic market and supply chains.
During a recent visit to Chongqing, a delegation of more than 20 German business leaders explored opportunities across sectors including food processing, retail, consulting and publishing. The trip highlighted growing foreign interest in western China as multinationals reassess their China strategies beyond traditional coastal strongholds.
A key draw is the region’s logistics connectivity. Executives visited facilities linked to the China-Europe Railway Express, which connects Chongqing to cities such as Duisburg, reinforcing the city’s role as an inland trade hub bridging Asian and European markets.
The shift also reflects China’s industrial depth. Chongqing hosts nearly the full spectrum of industrial categories, offering foreign firms access to integrated supply chains and manufacturing ecosystems. This reduces operational friction and enables faster scaling — a factor increasingly valued by multinational companies.
Bilateral trade between China and Germany reached 1.51 trillion yuan ($219 billion) in 2025, up 5.2% year-on-year, underscoring the resilience of economic ties despite broader geopolitical tensions.
🧭 Takeaway for Global Investors
Foreign firms are not exiting China — they are repositioning within it.
👉 The shift toward inland hubs signals:
- deeper integration into China’s domestic market
- greater reliance on local supply chains
- a long-term commitment rather than retrenchment
As China promotes regional development and logistics connectivity, inland cities like Chongqing are emerging as new nodes in global production and trade networks.