Mayor Gong Zheng and Lower Saxony Governor Stephan Weil. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Governor Stephan Weil of Lower Saxony, Germany, embarked on a visit to Shanghai on May 27, aiming to expand collaborations with the Yangtze River Delta region. This visit is the first leg of the delegation's journey in China.

The delegation, which is made up of 60 members from various industries, made the visit at the invitation of the China Institute of International Studies in order to strengthen cooperation and exchange in economic and trade sectors.

The delegation consisted of many members who were first time visitors to China, such as Louisa Wiedemann, who runs her family's heating and ventilation systems business. As the delegation was treated to a cruise along the Huangpu River, Wiedemann said she was captivated by the city's beauty and expressed regret for not visiting earlier.

This is Governor Weil's third time visiting the country. He recalled his initial visit to Shanghai during the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 and his most recent trip in 2017. The governor acknowledged Shanghai's remarkable transformation into a cosmopolitan metropolis, symbolizing China's rapid development. He disclosed plans for the delegation to visit COSCO Shipping, a globally influential shipping company. Recognizing the importance of maritime transport in future global trade growth, Weil discussed Lower Saxony's JadeWeser Port as a potential collaboration hub with COSCO Shipping.

Given the significance of agriculture in Lower Saxony, Governor Weil also introduced and discussed the substantial cooperation potential of this sector, citing the presence of numerous agricultural machinery manufacturing enterprises and facilities.

The delegation's Shanghai tour also included a visit to SAP's operation facilities. SAP, a German artificial intelligence giant, is one of the approximately 500 companies from Lower Saxony to have established factories in various locations within the Yangtze River Delta region. Of these companies, SAIC Volkswagen also stands out as a prime example of collaboration between Lower Saxony and Shanghai. This cooperation dates back four decades to 1984, when the Volkswagen Group first ventured into the Chinese market.

Following their visit to Shanghai, the delegation is set to journey to Anhui, a friendly province of Lower Saxony. Weil emphasized the recent establishment of Volkswagen's NEV Smart Manufacturing Base in Hefei, Anhui province, further underscoring the region's strategic importance. He eagerly anticipates the delegation's upcoming visit to Anhui province, recognizing it as a pivotal destination for further exploration and collaboration opportunities.

Source: Shanghai Observer