NANJING, China, March 04, 2026 — The 2026 “Nanjing Day” Economic and Trade Promotion Conference concluded successfully in Stuttgart, Germany, on March 2 (Local Time). The event comprised a primary promotional session and three concurrent seminars, which focused on Smart Transportation, Smart Cities, and AI & Biopharmaceuticals. It convened delegates from Chinese and German political, business, and academic sectors, establishing a practical framework for mutually beneficial collaboration.
This gathering occurred merely one week after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to China. Li Zhongjun, Mayor of Nanjing, affirmed that this mission aimed to actualize the consensus reached by the leaders of both nations. He advocated for deeper cooperation in technological innovation, industrial investment, and cultural exchange, expressing a desire to align interests with German partners to forge a “paradigm of shared prosperity.”
Frank Nopper, Mayor of Stuttgart, observed that China possesses formidable innovation capabilities. He underscored the reciprocal need for Stuttgart and Nanjing to partner – not solely to cultivate friendship, but to construct an economic bridge. Following his visit to the “Nanjing-Stuttgart 30th Anniversary of Sister-City Cooperation Exhibition” during the 2025 CIIE, Nopper noted that his experiences in Nanjing had profoundly reshaped his outlook on China.
Germany continues to be Nanjing’s largest economic and trade partner in Europe. Currently, Nanjing hosts 315 German-funded projects, with $2.22 billion in actualized German capital and over $730 million in contracted investment directed towards Germany. The total import and export volume with Germany surpassed $4.2 billion in 2025. Prominent industry leaders such as Thyssenkrupp, BSH Home Appliances, and Phoenix Contact maintain substantial operations in Nanjing.
Focused Industrial Collaboration. While Stuttgart is recognized as a global automotive hub, Nanjing has cultivated a distinct niche by developing one of the most extensive Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle (NEV) supply chains within the Yangtze River Delta. The city is home to over 500 enterprises, encompassing the entire lifecycle from manufacturing to battery recycling. During the conference, the “Nanjing Investment Promotion Service Station (Germany) (Prep.)” was formally launched. Furthermore, a series of high-priority projects spanning NEVs and Artificial Intelligence were signed.
In recent years, Nanjing has consistently pursued its “Industrial Strong City” strategy, initiating a Three-Year Action Plan for Investment Promotion in Germany. By concentrating on the “1026” emerging industry clusters, the city is reinforcing the industrial bedrock of Sino-German cooperation. Jointly organized by the Nanjing Municipal Government and the Consulate General of the P.R.C. in Frankfurt, this event is anticipated to further strengthen sister-city relationships and inject new impetus into the advancement of Sino-German local cooperation.
Source: The 2026 “Nanjing Day” Economic and Trade Promotion Conference
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