Innovation a bright spot in China-Germany cooperation

A bird's-eye view of the Sino-German Industrial Services Zone in Foshan, Guangdong Province. [Photo: nanhaitoday.com]

In recent years, China and Germany have strengthened cooperation in areas ranging from innovation, smart city construction to logistics.

The Sino-German Industrial Services Zone, situated in Foshan, south China's Guangdong Province, is a product of such joint efforts. Since its launch in 2012, the industrial hub has focused on developing high-end service industries and advanced manufacturing.

Last year, the zone entered an agreement with the Hannover-based Robotation Academy to establish a robotics school in Foshan, with the aim to set up a comprehensive platform to stimulate the growth of robotics technology in China, or even Asia.

"When the German academy comes, it will bring its advanced technology, its brand and its systematic solutions. We encourage such a partnership. Our German partners can introduce to us their operation models and upgrade our traditional way of production. As we invite foreign companies to join us, we can also export our strong brands to Germany," said Liu Yi, an official at the industrial park. 

Xu Hongcai is an economist at China Center for International Economic Exchanges. He said given Germany's leading status in innovation, importing German technologies and management models will effectively upgrade China's industrial development.

In return, Xu says, China can offer a much bigger market, as well as expanded human resources and capital.

"We should aim to build new platforms for China-Germany innovation cooperation, including those in professional training, human resource development and upgrade. We can also borrow Germany's experience. The two sides complement each other in innovation, building smart cities, logistics and financial sectors. Especially as China pushes forward the Belt and Road initiative, our cooperation will provide new impetus for mutual growth," said Xu. 

Zuo Shiquan, a researcher under China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said China-Germany innovation cooperation has promising future prospects.

"There is great potential in China-Germany cooperation in innovation. For example, as Germany pushes forward its 'Industry 4.0' initiative, China aims to develop its smart manufacturing. Already, there have been collaboration mechanisms with demonstration projects underway," said Zuo.

In 2012, Germany launched the concept of "Industry 4.0" in its manufacturing sector. The heart of the idea is intelligent manufacturing. In the German context, it means using the Internet to connect small and medium-sized companies in a more efficient way in global production and innovation networks.