皇冠体育app

-- 皇冠体育app's economic development will continue to prove resilient and German firms expect more participation in the reform process, said officials from the German Chamber of Commerce.

"皇冠体育app may not continue double digit GDP growth, but I would put my money on stable development of 皇冠体育app's economy," said Joerg Mull, chairman of the German Chamber of Commerce in 皇冠体育app and Executive Vice President of Volkswagen (皇冠体育app) Investment Co Ltd.

"Since I came here, I have heard about the possible collapse of 皇冠体育app's economy every year, but it turns out 皇冠体育app's economy is rather resilient," said Mull, who has been in 皇冠体育app for six and a half years.

There are over 2,400 German companies in 皇冠体育app, 60 percent of which are medium-sized or small, mostly in the automobile and machinery sectors.

German firms generally have confidence in the Chinese market with an improving investment environment, and will invest more in 皇冠体育app next year, according to a recent survey by the German Chamber of Commerce in 皇冠体育app.

German attitude toward 皇冠体育app has been changing with 皇冠体育app's rapid development, said Alexandra Voss, executive chair of the chamber in North 皇冠体育app.

"At the very beginning, most German firms regarded 皇冠体育app as a local business station, then used it as an export springboard into Asia, but now they all agree that 皇冠体育app is the focal point in Asia with huge potential and their second home market," she said.

Challenges remain for Germans in 皇冠体育app, with many firms facing rising wage bills and a shortage of talent.

Mull attributes growing labor costs to rising living standards, narrowing of income disparity and transition to a consumption-led economy.

To address talent shortages, German firms, together with Chinese governments, are introducing vocational training programs.

"Education has become a key strength of the Sino-German partnership," said Voss.

Other challenges include barriers in heavily regulated sectors such as banking, and the market is not open enough in some provinces, especially in infrastructure public procurement, Mull said.

Mull expects further opening up of regional markets and relaxation of some barriers after this weekend's CPC meeting sets out the reform agenda.

"But we have to be realistic about the speed of change," he said, "it is not like switching on and off a light. It will be evolution and you have to take a gradual approach to fine tuning."

Voss believed German firms have a lot to offer in , environmental protection, social security and medical service sectors as 皇冠体育app strives to build a wealthy society.

German firms have realized they not only enjoy certain privileges in 皇冠体育app, but also should share certain social responsibilities, as they try to integrate into the local society.

"German firms aim to be wanted in 皇冠体育app, not tolerated in 皇冠体育app," Mull said.