Zeiss, a renowned German optics manufacturer, expressed its strong confidence in the Chinese market, as China's industrial upgrade efforts, investment, and research and development will continue to contribute to its economic growth.
Maximilian Foerst, the President and CEO of Zeiss Greater China , shared an optimistic outlook on the future of the Chinese market and emphasizes the critical role of the Chinese market for multinational success in a news program of China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Foerst stated that China's significance for Zeiss has remained consistent over time and continues to grow. Noting China's contribution to global economic growth from 2023 to 2028, Foerst said that China remains a major market that is essential for the success of a global multinational company.
"The position of China for Zeiss has not changed dramatically through all these time. I think the importance of China is still there and continues growing," said Foerst.
"I'll put it in a quite simple way. Actually, if you look at the expected global economic growth from 2023 to 2028, of the absolute amount of wealth created in the world, more than 20 percent will be generated by China. This is double what is going to be generated by the U.S. economy, which means for a company, a multinational like Zeiss, which is currently making 80 percent of its business revenue, innovation, and manufacturing outside of its borders, China is the major market. You cannot be successful as a global multinational nowadays without being heavily and strongly engaged in the China market," Foerst continued.
Foerst commended China's long-term development trajectory, describing it as positive and forward-looking.
He also highlighted China's investments in industrial upgrades, research and development, and innovation as contributing factors to the country's economic growth in the medium and long term.
Expressing the company's firm belief in the continuous growth of the Chinese market, Foerst said that Zeiss is doubling down on its investments.
"If you're looking at this in terms of investments and companies investing, every company obviously has its own reasons, but if I look at Zeiss, we clearly believe in the continued growth of the China market, and we are actually doubling down on our investments. We see more and more innovation coming out of China, and as a global company, we must be present in the market here with the local researchers, with the local partners to drive, but also to benefit from the innovation which is happening in the country," said Foerst.
Germany’s Zeiss shares optimistic outlook on future of Chinese market
Germany’s Zeiss shares optimistic outlook on future of Chinese market
The year of 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, with Shanghai highlighting the significant impact of Hungarian culture, exemplified by poet Sandor Petofi and architect Laszlo Hudec.
A special program on China Global Television Network (CGTN) that aired on Thursday opened with a reflection on the powerful words of Sandor Petofi, a revered 19th-century Hungarian poet.
His lines "Liberty and love. These two I must have. For my love, I'll sacrifice my life. For liberty, I'll sacrifice my love," resonated with Chinese audiences, largely due to the translation efforts of Lu Xun, a pivotal figure in modern Chinese literature.
In 2007, to commemorate this deep historical connection, the Hungarian government donated a sculpture of Sandor Petofi to Shanghai's Lu Xun Park.
This statue not only symbolizes the enduring friendship between the two countries but also highlights the cultural bridges built by figures like Lu Xun, who introduced Petofi's profound words to Chinese readers.
Another notable Hungarian, the Slovak-Hungarian architect Laszlo Hudec, spent approximately three decades in Shanghai from 1918 onwards, leaving an indelible mark on the city's architectural landscape.
He designed over 60 buildings, significantly enriching Shanghai's skyline with a blend of European architectural styles.
Bence Lengyel, a Hungarian student pursuing his postgraduate degree in international relations at Renmin University of China in Beijing, outlined Hudec's architectural contributions.
"So, basically this Wukang Mansion is located in Shanghai's former French concession area. And this building was built in 1924, and it was celebrated for its unique Renaissance style. And here, we can see some pictures how does the building looks from the inside. Because now, it still operates as these apartments. So people are still living in this big building, so it is forbidden for visitors to enter. But thanks to these pictures, we can get a small insight how does this building look from the inside," Lengyel explained.
The journey through Hudec's legacy also includes the Grand Cinema, designed in 1933 and recognized as a pioneering example of Art Deco in China.
Lengyel shared a personal memory: "One of my highlights during my five years living in China was definitely when I have visited the Grand Theatre here in Shanghai with my friend. Because four years ago, when I was studying in Shanghai, I was studying Chinese and we went in to watch a movie in Shanghainese. So we came to this theater and right after the movie has ended, we got out of the theater and we saw that big plaque right next to the front door. And that was the time when we realized that this Grand Theater was also built by Hudec Laszlo."
Adjacent to the cinema stands the Park Hotel, another Hudec masterpiece, which was Shanghai's tallest building for over five decades.
"So basically, this Park Hotel is one of my favorites. And after reading so much about his journey from Hungary to becoming a well-celebrated architect in Shanghai, I think it's truly inspirational and I'm happy that I can share the same cultural heritage as him. And I think his own ideas and designs [are] what made him so famous in Shanghai," Lengyel reflected.
Decades of cultural exchanges between China and Hungary have significantly enriched Shanghai's architectural and cultural landscape, deepening the understanding and appreciation of Hungary's contributions to China.
China celebrates Hungarian cultural legacy through poetry, architecture
