The opening ceremony of the key auto conference takes place. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The 2023 China-Germany Automobile Conference got into gear in Changchun, capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province on Oct 18, with major and pressing global issues under immediate discussion.

The ongoing event, inviting heavyweight guests from corporations, institutions, governments and industry clusters, aims to discuss global macro trends, disruptive industry trends and collaboration opportunities in the auto sector that are of common concern to China and Germany.

Topics such as automotive transformations, the development of various ecosystems and innovations in the parts industry are being addressed. That's along with the exploration of hot subjects like new energy, intelligent connected vehicles, new retail, digitalization and supply chain innovation.

Chong Quan, from the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, delivered a keynote speech highlighting the importance of the China-Germany economic partnership.

He emphasized the solid foundation of cooperation and the vibrant energy that exist between the two countries, with their collaboration having a significant impact on future industry developments.

Jilin, known as the cradle of China's automotive industry, serves as a model for China-Germany cooperation.

In recent years, the provincial government has been fully supportive of key cooperative projects, implementing its automotive industry cluster upgrading program and striving to create a top-notch business environment.

German embassy senior envoy Stephan Grabherr delivers a speech. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

Senior envoy Stephan Grabherr, ministerial counselor of the German Embassy in China, said that China had become a key participant in the global automotive industry, with impressive growth numbers reflecting the success of its sector.

He said that cooperation and competition were necessary for both China and Germany and looking ahead it was to be hoped that both countries could jointly face future challenges.

Through development, mutual economic and technological benefits could be achieved, bringing more prosperity for the future, the envoy added.

An executive from the China FAW Group delivers a speech on Sino-German auto industry cooperation. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]