(ECNS) -- China retained its position as the third-largest source of foreign investment projects in Germany in 2024, according to a report released Monday by Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI).
The 2024 Foreign Enterprises Investment in Germany Report shows that a total of 1,724 greenfield and brownfield investment projects were launched by foreign companies in Germany this year, marking a slight 2 percent decline compared to 2023.
The United States led with 229 projects, down 2.6 percent year-on-year, while Switzerland followed with 202 projects, remaining level with last year. China came in third with 199 projects, nearly matching the 200 projects recorded in 2023.
Chinese investments focused on sectors such as electronics and automation (25 percent), energy and raw materials (21 percent), and transportation and logistics (19 percent), the report noted. In terms of business activities, market and sales projects accounted for 41 percent of Chinese investment, while production and R&D made up 26 percent, up four percentage points from the previous year. European headquarters projects comprised 11 percent.
"Just like last year, Chinese companies launched a significant number of new projects in Germany, confirming China's continued importance as a source country for greenfield and expansion investment," said Thomas Bozoyan, the report's author.
Bozoyan highlighted a growing trend of Chinese investors targeting specific industrial sectors, including renewable energy, battery supply chains, automotive, medical technology, robotics, and related software solutions. He also emphasized the increasing involvement of Chinese firms in production and R&D activities. In 2024, approximately 20 percent of all foreign investment projects in Germany were in production and R&D, with China's share reaching 26 percent.
"This strong momentum is evident not only in Germany but globally," Bozoyan said. "Since the end of the pandemic, China's overseas investment has seen a notable rebound."
(By Zhao Li)
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