A view of Shanxi Yaxin Group's industrial park Photo: Shanxi Investment Promotion Bureau

Against the backdrop of whistles,MKS sports a total 15 China-Europe freight trains that operate regularly in North China's Shanxi Province have reached 16 countries and 48 cities. In terms of foreign trade performance, Shanxi's import and export volume with countries participating in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative reaching 71.7 billion yuan in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 5.7 percent, accounting for 42.3 percent of the total foreign trade value of the province, continuously elevating the level of opening up to the world.

In April 2024, multiple delegations from Shanxi traveled to countries including France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Italy, and Hungary, conveying the determination and vision of people-to-people exchanges and investment promotion delivering ongoing mutual benefit.

The delegations have engaged in in-depth exchanges and cooperation with enterprises and research teams around the world, covering various sectors including industry, trade, culture, investment, sports, technology, and medicine, learning advanced technological experiences, seeking cooperation opportunities, and promoting the opening-up for Chinese inland provinces. 

World-class platform

Shanxi has been exploring a better development path to create advanced productivity and strong growth momentum through high-level opening-up.  

During the "Invest in China" campaign hosted by the China's Ministry of Commerce, delegation from Shanxi visited Denmark and Germany, actively promoting cooperation projects of methanol and synthetic biology, attracting great attention from local enterprises. 

In Spain, delegations held investment promotion activities combining keynote presentations with project roadshows, setting up 20 Spanish-language promotional boards for key industrial chains in Shanxi, showcasing the development status and prospects of regional industrial chain through videos and images.  

During the industrial promotion events in Germany and France, the Shanxi provincial delegation focused on key industrial chains and township with characteristic professional industries, engaging in comprehensive discussions and promotions with the business communities from the two countries in areas such as special steel materials, new energy, high-end equipment manufacturing, modern medicine, and synthetic biology.

Through the world-class communication and promotional platforms, Shanxi has showcased the significant development potential of local brands, voices from local communities as well as a diverse image of the province, further uplifting trade and investment level, and laying a solid foundation for Shanxi to commence cooperation with European countries in various fields.

The cellar of Chateau Rongzi at Linfen, Shanxi Province Photo: Shanxi Investment Promotion Bureau

In-depth dialogue

Frequent and high-quality two-way communication is a positive factor for Shanxi to enhance the cooperation with European countries. During the series of communication and dialogue activities, delegations from Shanxi has engaged with over 30 government agencies, business associations and enterprises, setting the tone for Shanxi's outwards communication and cooperation. 

As an important research institute for German "Industry 4.0" technology system, leading applied research organization Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and Shanxi delegation established deep connection. The two sides discussed cooperation projects such as mobile hydrogen production reactors and lightweight structural projects using new natural fiber-reinforced composite materials.

In addition, the delegation also communicated with representatives of the Duisburg government, Germany, on industrial structural transformation and upgrading, providing references for building Shanxi's green transition and intelligent transformation. 

Fruitful results

Shanxi Province is stepping under the spotlight of global investors with its abundant natural resources and historic cultural heritage. After a series of exchange and promotion activities, enterprises from both Shanxi Province and Europe finalized a number of cooperation contracts, intentions and memorandums of understanding.

Shanxi's GlobalSafe Electric Co and Netherlands-based Philips agreed to explore more cooperation opportunities, vowing to further expand the group's medical health business in global market with Philips' advanced technologies.

During a promotion event held in France, three pairs of enterprises, EIC Corporation and Shanxi Ji'an Electric Co, U-Home Design and Shanxi Yaxin Group, A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund and Shanxi Chamber of International Commerce, respectively signed cooperation framework agreements and memorandums for future cooperation.

In Spain, Shanxi Xiangrui Energy and Spanish environment protection firm Asociación Ecoeche España signed a memorandum of cooperation on international mutual recognition of carbon footprint for exported products. Shanxi-based liquor company Xinjinshang Winery Group Co signed memorandum of cooperation with Ollyhwa Holding's Real Madrid Star Winery signed a memorandum of cooperation for jointly promoting Chinese baijiu and red wines.

A ceramics enterprise in Shuozhou, Shanxi, reached a cooperation agreement with the China-Europe Logistics Park to sell ceramic products in Spain through the China-Europe freight train. 

The exhibition booth of Shanxi Province's Huairen ceramic at the 6th Shanxi Cultural Industries Fair Photo: Shanxi Investment Promotion Bureau

Shanxi's masterplan of high-level opening-up generates vast market for win-win cooperation. The sign of multiple cooperation contracts and intentions inject vitality of Shanxi's high-quality economy development. The exchange of technology and management experience has become a catalyst for innovation and industry upgrade in Shanxi, leveraging Shanxi's products and services to the global market. 

Looking ahead, Shanxi Province will seek to further integrate into the global industrial chain and value chain by fulfilling its commitment of opening-up, accelerate to build the region a new platform for international exchange among Chinese inland provinces. 

In multiple key areas such as economic engagement and trade, science and technology, and cultural exchanges, Shanxi will work hand in hand with partners around the world to step up to a new level.