On May 13, the China-Germany (China-Europe) Hidden Champions Forum 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the “Forum”) opened at the Beijing China-Germany International Conference and Exhibition Center in Shunyi District, as part of Beijing China-Germany Forum for Industrial Cooperation and Development.

Themed “Openness and Innovation, Win-Win Cooperation”, the Forum featured various parallel industry sub-forums, including the “Open for Win-win Cooperation” China-Germany SMEs Dialogue, China-Germany (China-Europe) Hidden Champions Economic and Technological Exchanges and Cooperation Forum, New Energy and Intelligent Vehicle Industry Development Forum, and “Digital Intelligence in Shunyi” China-Germany (China-Europe) Cooperation and Development Forum. A designated area was set up at the forum to exhibit accomplishments in China-Germany (China-Europe) economic and technological exchange. The hidden champion entrepreneurs were also invited for a tour of Shunyi.

The Forum brought together nearly 400 domestic and international guests, including government officials, experts, industry leaders, corporate executives, investors, and media representatives. Nearly 100 representatives from political and business domains as well as heads of hidden-champion enterprises in Germany and other European countries attended the Forum. More than 50 hidden champions and specialized enterprises with a focus on high-end and innovation-driven products or services presented their unique offerings.

The Hidden Champions Forum is renowned in Germany as the “Davos Forum for the European Manufacturing Industry”. Walter Döring, Co-Chairman of the Council of the International Economic Senate, Chairman of the Senate of Economy Europe, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Summit of World Market Leaders (World Hidden Champion Summit), said, “This is the first time the Hidden Champions Forum is held in China. We are very pleased to have invited many representatives of hidden-champion SMEs from Germany.” He noted that China boasts a vast market, with approximately 19% of German companies opting to invest and develop in this market. Furthermore, hidden-champion enterprises from both countries have already formed a strong bond. He expressed confidence that the Forum will further promote exchanges between the two sides, leading to common prosperity and development through concerted efforts.

At the opening ceremony, Hans-Peter Friedrich, Chairman of the German-Chinese Parliamentary Group of the German Bundestag, highlighted the long-standing economic and technological partnership between China and Germany, as well as the vital role played by hidden-champion enterprises in Germany’s economy. Noting that many German companies have invested in China in recent years, he expressed hope for further exchanges and cooperation for even more fruitful results.

During the Forum, six guests including Yang Ming, Vice Chairman of the Senate of Economy Europe and Chief Representative in China for the Summit of World Market Leaders, were appointed as “The First Senior Consultants of China-Germany (China-Europe) Hidden Champions”. The International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the DEZ German European Centre for SME Cooperation in China jointly released the China-Germany Hidden Champions Industrial Cooperation Research Report.

Tan Xuxiang, Vice Mayor of Beijing, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

(Edited based on relevant reports from Beijing Daily)