On April 13, Pulsestacks reported that BMW Group announced its Chairman, Zipse, will accompany German Chancellor Scholz and a delegation of entrepreneurs on their visit to China, emphasizing a commitment to fostering prosperity through deepened cooperation and steadfastly expanding investments in China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and China over half a century ago, BMW Group has been fortunate to witness and participate in the continuous enhancement of economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Germany and China. I am deeply honored to once again accompany Chancellor Scholz on his visit to China. With 30 years of presence in China, BMW Group's development has benefited from the free trade between Germany and China as well as China's high-level opening-up policy. We are confident in the prospects of the Chinese market and are firmly committed to continued investment in China, making greater contributions to deepening cooperation between Germany and China," Zipse stated.
Zeitz pointed out that the successful development of the BMW Group in China is closely linked to China's robust economic growth and social progress over the past 30 years. During these three decades, BMW Group has consistently adhered to the principle of being "at home in China," not only dedicating itself to making continuous contributions to China's economic growth but also deeply engaging in technological innovation and socio-cultural development. Strengthening international cooperation, promoting smooth trade, and achieving growth, prosperity, and employment expansion are now more essential than ever. BMW has always believed that cooperation fosters prosperity and growth. The successful development of the BMW Group in China is a model of long-term win-win cooperation between Germany and China; multinational cooperation should be a key force in addressing current and future challenges.
The development of new productive forces provides ample opportunities for further deepening cooperation between Germany and China. This includes various key areas such as green development, industrial upgrading, and digital innovation, all of which align closely with the core strategic objectives of the BMW Group.
Zeitz stated, "Green development is not a solo journey; it requires collective efforts. Germany and China hold this common belief, and green development has become a new opportunity for further expanding cooperation between the two sides. As a leader in sustainable development in the automotive industry, BMW Group is committed to promoting low-carbon emissions and advocating circular transformation across the entire value chain, working with partners to create green productivity." Currently, BMW is collaborating with over 450 Chinese suppliers and more than 600 dealers in China to achieve carbon reduction across the entire industry chain, actively promoting the innovative application of circular economy technologies in the automotive industry. BMW has taken the lead in green electricity production in China and achieved closed-loop recycling of raw materials for power batteries.
BMW's sustainable development strategy not only focuses on carbon reduction but also on social development and ecology and culture. Recently, BMW partnered with the China National Cultural and Tourism Administration's China Center for International Cultural Exchange to launch the Protection of the Grand Canal World Heritage project, which not only promotes ecological protection but also fosters cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and foreign countries.
Industrial upgrading is a key area for win-win cooperation between Germany and China. While pursuing higher efficiency and quality in its production system, BMW is also actively driving technological innovation and industrial upgrading in the industry. Currently, advanced digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtualization, and big data are widely applied at BMW's production base in Shenyang.
Zeitz reiterated BMW Group's commitment to its strategy and deepening its presence in the Chinese market, stating, "China is the future and also the largest market for the BMW Group globally. Our continued success in China depends on the continuous growth and development of our footprint in China."
