On October 18, the 2023 Deutsch-Chinesischer Automobilkongress kicked off in Changchun, under the theme of "Leading ? Innovation ? Transcendence". Chong Quan, Chairman of China Society for World Trade Organization Studies and former Deputy China International Trade Representative, Ministry of Commerce, along with Vice Governor Li Guoqiang and Mayor Wang Zilian attended the event and delivered a speech.

In Chong Quan's speech, he mentioned that the Deutsch-Chinesischer Automobilkongress, held alternately in both countries, serves as a practical and long-term platform to promote economic and trade cooperation between China and Germany. Changchun, as an integral part of the Sino-German automobile cooperation chain, with its unique industrial foundation, advantageous location, talented workforce, and pattern of opening up, has become a successful model of Sino-German automobile cooperation. The 2023 Deutsch-Chinesischer Automobilkongress marks the third time the event has been held in Changchun, and it is hoped that this platform will be used effectively to jointly promote innovative cooperation in the automobile industries between China and Germany.

Li Guoqiang, on behalf of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee and Jilin Provincial People's Government, extended warm congratulations on the successful convening of the event. He mentioned that not long ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the Symposium on Advancing the Comprehensive Revitalization of Northeast China in the New Era and delivered an important speech, outlining a grand blueprint showing that Jilin is facing a rare historical opportunity for comprehensive revitalization. Given the strong economic complementarity between China and Germany and the vast space for cooperation in the automobile industry, he hoped that all parties would work together to lead the future of the global automobile industry by driving research and development, innovation, and the widespread application of new energy vehicles. He emphasized that joint efforts should be made to promote innovation in the automobile industry and activate cooperation in new areas such as new energy, artificial intelligence, and digitization. He also encouraged all parties to strive to promote energy conservation and emission reduction, as well as green and low-carbon development, thereby making the automobile industrial cooperation shine as a bright spot in Sino-German relations.

Wang Zilian welcomed the guests on behalf of the CPC Changchun Municipal Committee and Changchun Municipal People's Government. He emphasized that the automobile industry is Changchun's most advantageous pillar industry. Changchun will persist in its objective of "leading" by mobilizing the whole city to support in-depth cooperation between FAW and world-class car enterprises such as Volkswagen and Audi, and endeavor to shift the Changchun automobile industry from "keeping pace" to "leading" in the fields of new energy and intelligent connected vehicles. With "innovation" as its focal point, Changchun will join forces with major finished automobile and parts enterprises to explore new opportunities in the fields of new energy and intelligent connected vehicles. With "transcendence" as the driving force, Changchun will create a top-tier development environment for the surpassing of the automobile industry. He sincerely hoped that automobile enterprises and technology firms from both countries would expand their presence in Changchun and together create a bright future for Sino-German automobile cooperation and development.

During the opening ceremony and the main forum, Dr. Stephan Kohler, Minister of the German Embassy in China, and Liu Yan, Deputy Secretary General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, delivered speeches. Prof. Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, Director of the German Center for Automotive Research, and Lei Ping, Deputy General Manager of FAW Group, delivered keynote speeches.

Before the opening ceremony, Wang Zilian met with important guests attending the event.