A group of German companies known as "hidden champions" -- less unknown but highly successful -- explored new opportunities in southwest China's Chengdu during a three-day industrial park tour that concluded on Friday.
Titled "Hidden Champions from Germany: Chengdu Industrial Park Tour 2026," the event brought together more than 30 German companies.
But it was more than just a business gathering -- it marked a milestone in a two-way journey spanning thousands of kilometers.
The journey began 157 days earlier, when a Chengdu delegation traveled to Germany for intensive investment promotion and business exchanges. A total of 50 projects were signed, with a combined value of about 2.6 billion U.S. dollars. Now, those agreements are beginning to take shape.
"Six months after our visit, today also serves as a report on our actions. We have set up three new branches in Europe, and established several friendly clubs in Northern Europe, Germany, and France. We will continue to engage in two-way exchanges, building more cultural connections through e-sports," said Le Kedeng, chairman of Chengdu All Gamers, a Chinese professional e-sports organization.
The visit went beyond conference rooms. Delegates visited production lines, laboratories, and testing sites, where real industrial scenarios and market demand helped turn interest into action.
For the visiting German companies, the focus went beyond manufacturing. They were looking for long-term partners in the global supply chain.
"My target is production, production and transport. We have a bunch of sensors and solutions, where you can bring your machinery online without any interruption or non-invasive attachment," said Dominic Thome, CEO of IB die lösung GmbH, a provider of IT services and technical solutions based in Germany.
A dedicated matchmaking event was held in Chengdu on Friday, bringing companies together and featuring the release of a new list of investment opportunities for the city.
Attendees said the event helped turn agreements into concrete results.
"The two companies are already here, which I need, and already connected with them. They are in robotics and low altitude, where we are supporting them with high-performance sensors. We can definitely collaborate with them already, these two companies in Chengdu, effective today," said Ladislav Varga, China regional general manager at Isabellenhuette (Shanghai), a manufacturer of high-tech products for current measurement.
"Matchmaking events like these present a platform where people can talk directly. It's a good opportunity for everyone and we also hope to be successful here today. In general, opening up, in my personal opinion, is the right way to go. There is a global economy; the world has become very, very small in the last years. So, I think mutual cooperation is key for the success and the prosperity of everyone," said Robert Niegel, executive director of the Beijing branch of ROWE International Trading.
Chinese, German companies explore cooperation opportunities at exchange event
