China Strategy 2026: Partners, Market, Competitors

Business Representatives from the Region Discuss Future Prospects

Freiburg, 17 March 2026 – How should companies in the Upper Rhine region position themselves in China in the future? This question was the focus of a joint event organised by RegioTriRhena in collaboration with the commercial law firm ADVANT Beiten, the Confucius Institute Freiburg and the China Forum.

Above the rooftops of Freiburg, entrepreneurs and business experts from the border triangle region gathered to discuss opportunities, risks and strategic options in dealing with China.

German companies – from SMEs to large corporations – have been closely integrated into the Chinese economy for decades. China is a sales market, a production location, a supplier, a competitor and, increasingly, a source of technological innovation. In light of geopolitical tensions and changing economic policy conditions, many firms are re-evaluating their China strategies. The event provided a forum for an open analysis of these developments.

The evening was moderated by Dr Barbara Mayer, partner at ADVANT Beiten, and Alwin Wagner, Deputy Managing Director of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Southern Upper Rhine. Both introduced the topic and welcomed the numerous guests.

In her keynote speech, Susanne Rademacher, partner and head of the ADVANT Beiten office in Beijing, shed light on the current economic and political dynamics in China. 

She highlighted opportunities and prospects for European companies and called for constructive dialogue and mutual understanding between the two economic regions.

In the subsequent panel discussion, Dr Michael Meding, CEO of m-tec GmbH, and Michael Ziesemer, member of the Board of Directors at Endress & Hauser AG, confirmed the great importance of business with China for their companies. Both reported first-hand on how essential stable relationships and long-term strategies are for success in the Chinese market.

In conclusion, Dr Bernd Dallmann, President of RegioTriRhena, thanked the speakers. He emphasised that he had “not heard such an open and honest assessment of relations with China for a long time” and highlighted the importance of a nuanced perspective beyond sweeping generalisations.