European companies show confidence in Chinese market with continued investment

SHENYANG - At the Universal Beijing Resort, what attracted the attention of many tourists were not only the signature Transformers and Jurassic World themed zones, but also a special BMW roadshow therein, which showcased a new X5 vehicle, one of the German carmaker's most popular models.

According to the company, the X5 has been among its best-selling models worldwide since its debut in 1999. But what made the launch of the new X5 model especially significant was its new position as "the flagship of BMW's locally produced lineup."

On March 31, the company launched its all-new X5 with a China-exclusive wheelbase design, marking the first time that the model was made in China.

"The new car again reaffirms our targeting the Chinese market as top priority," said Johann Wieland, president and CEO of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd (BBA), a joint venture between BMW and Chinese carmaker Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

At a time when many Chinese cities are fighting against COVID-19 resurgences, BMW's launch of the new model shows its strong confidence in China's anti-pandemic measures and the country's stable and sustained economic development.

Many other European enterprises have also fixed their eyes on the booming Chinese market, and they foresee long-term success regarding China's promising economic prospects and sound business environment.

Investment enthusiasm

On Feb 11, the German auto giant strengthened its partnership in China by extending the joint-venture contract of BBA until 2040, and increased its shares from 50 percent to 75 percent by investing some 27.9 billion yuan ($4.4 billion).

"We continue to expand our long and successful commitment to China," said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG. "Our continued success in the world's largest automotive market can only go hand in hand with the growth and further development of our BBA joint venture."

Since 2010, the group has poured 73 billion yuan into its production base in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, and built it into its largest production base worldwide with an estimated annual output of more than 650,000 units. In 2022, the group will witness three new or upgraded plants open in Shenyang and Zhangjiagang, East China's Jiangsu province.

In February, another German automaker Audi cooperated with China's leading automaker First Automotive Works, and officially launched a project to produce pure electric vehicles in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin province.

Bearing a total investment of more than 30 billion yuan, the project will be aimed at economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, as well as Northeast China's revitalization.

This joint project was expected to be put into operation around the end of 2024 with an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, the automakers noted.

Swiss compressor manufacturer Burckhardt Compression AG is also betting on China's super-large market. In 2021, the company acquired the remaining 40 percent of the shares of Shenyang Yuanda Compressor, based in Shenyang city, and made it a wholly owned subsidiary.

The Swiss company told Xinhua that the sales revenue of Shenyang Yuanda Compressor has maintained double-digit growth in recent years, having expanded its factory area from 89,000 square meters to 164,000 square meters to increase production capacity, which is currently occupied through to October.

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Commerce, foreign direct investment into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, expanded 37.9 percent year-on-year to 243.7 billion yuan in the first two months of this year.

China remained one of the top investment destinations for foreign companies, especially German firms. A report released by the German Chamber of Commerce in China and KPMG showed that nearly 60 percent of German companies in China reported improved business operations last year and 71 percent plan further investment in the country.

China's determination and confidence in high-level opening-up and continuous effort to improve the business environment for multinational enterprises has made the Chinese market more attractive, which brought win-win outcomes both for Chinese and multinational companies, noted Jochen Goller, president and CEO of BMW China.

Increasing China-EU cooperation

The trade volume between China and the European Union turned the tide and reached a record high of more than $800 billion in 2021, up 27.5 percent year-on-year.

During the same period, as a pillar for trade and economic cooperation across the Eurasian continent, the China-Europe freight train service handled a record 15,000 trips, and transported 1.46 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of goods, up 22 percent and 29 percent respectively over the previous year.

China State Railway Group Co Ltd said the service now reaches 180 cities in 23 European countries with 78 routes planned, transporting more than 50,000 types of goods including IT products, automobiles and parts, chemicals, and mechanical and electronic products.

In addition, new technologies and the two sides' common pursuit of green development have become another development booster between China and the EU.

"We see China as a pacesetter in topics like electrification or digitalization. What moves China today will move the world tomorrow," said Zipse, adding that BMW's four innovation and digitalization bases in China are its largest R&D bases outside Germany.

For Audi, the new base in Changchun will be its first for pure electric car models in China, which will produce its first three electric car models including one SUV and one sedan after completion. The base is expected to realize carbon dioxide neutralization during car manufacturing and have its own battery assembly workshop.

"China is already the world's leader of electro-mobility, a key driving force of digitalization, and now is decisively pursuing high-quality growth and a circular economy. It is a perfect place and a great partner for us to drive transformation, going electric, digital and circular," said Nicolas Peter, member of the board of management of BMW AG.

China's commitment to high-quality and institutional opening-up also offers promising prospects for foreign investors. This year's government work report published in March listed pursuing higher-standard opening up and promoting stable growth of foreign trade and investment as the government's major tasks for 2022.

On Jan 1, a shortened negative list for foreign investment came into force with off-limit items cut to 31 from 33 a year ago, which included the removal of the foreign capital cap in China's auto industry. This has enabled more European enterprises like BMW to expand their investment in China.

These future prospects are further brightened by China's policy decisions, according to Zipse. "Looking ahead, we are encouraged by China's pledge to further open its market, as well as its efforts to promote green development and innovation."

From his perspective, collaboration and mutual trust are key to creating growth and prosperity.

"The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-German diplomatic relations. And for the sixth year in a row, China was Germany's most important trading partner in 2021. Our experience in China is a good example of successful collaboration between the two countries and between China and Europe," said Zipse.