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Dates

Start: May 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
End: May 15, 2026, 2:00 p.m.

Venues

Yangtze River Delta, China

Suzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hefei

Downloads

Flyer: German | English

Anmeldebogen: German | English

Your contact for questions and travel arrangements

Matthias Li

Research Associate

wbk Institute of Production Science (KIT)

Email: matthias.li∂kit.edu

Why the Yangtze River Delta?

The four cities of Suzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hefei in the Yangtze River Delta together form one of China's most dynamic innovation and industrial clusters. With their combination of high-tech ecosystems, excellent research landscapes, and close proximity to leading development departments and production sites, they offer an environment that exemplifies China's rapid innovation. Suzhou as a stronghold for advanced manufacturing, Nanjing as a research and software center, Hefei as a rapidly growing hub for future technologies, and Shanghai as an international hub together create ideal conditions for the development and scaling of new products – an innovation space often referred to as China's new "engine for advanced manufacturing."

What can you expect on this delegation trip?

• Experience first-hand how "Innovation Made in China" works by visiting leading high-tech companies such as Variosystems, Estun Automation, Gotion Hi-Tech, and the Sartorius Innovation Hub, including insights into smart manufacturing and local R&D hubs.
• Gain exclusive access to development departments, rapid prototyping hubs, and production facilities where German and Chinese companies are independently driving their product innovations for Asia.
• Discuss directly with innovation and leadership teams, supplemented by insights from experts such as Peter Helis and Dr. Lucas Bretz, including intercultural, technological, and strategic perspectives.
• Take advantage of networking formats with high-ranking representatives from business, research, and local authorities to deepen business relationships and better understand market developments.
• Benefit from a comprehensively supported learning journey, including a kick-off before the trip and reflection workshops afterwards, ideal for preparing for further activities in China, such as visiting major trade fairs.

The delegation trip is for you if...

• Your company is active in high-tech manufacturing and is already operating in China or preparing to enter the market.
• You are pursuing or evaluating a Develop & Made in China for China approach.
• You want to understand how local R&D structures, innovation management, and product development work in China, and you want to gain exclusive insights into smart manufacturing, R&D centers, market trends, and exchanges with high-ranking representatives from business and research.

Registration

Please fill out the registration form linked on this page under Downloads and send it signed as a PDF to matthias.li∂kit.edu.

The participation fee is Euro 5,750 (plus VAT).

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.

The number of participants is limited to 15.

The preliminary program and registration form for the trip can be found under Downloads.

Dr. Lucas Bretz

Managing Director, Global Advanced Manufacturing Institute (GAMI) Suzhou

is head of GAMI in Suzhou and has been working at the operational interface between German industry and the Chinese high-tech environment since 2021. His focus is on the development and implementation of industrial solutions in the areas of digitalization, operational excellence, and artificial intelligence in production. Under his leadership, GAMI supports German companies in establishing and scaling local engineering, production, and innovation structures in China. Thanks to his experience in numerous transformation projects in China, he has a deep understanding of how companies can successfully leverage the dynamics of the Chinese market to develop high-, technologically leading organizations while ensuring compliance with German quality and process standards.

Email: lucas.bretz∂silu.asia

LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/lucasbretz

Dr. Daniel Frerichs

Managing Director, Asiapilots Ltd., Hamburg

is an entrepreneur and manager with 15 years of experience in international cultural contexts (Asia-Europe), including ten years in management positions at Chinese and European high-tech companies in Shanghai. He holds a doctorate in communication science and is managing partner of the innovation scouting and foresight consultancy ASIAPILOTS Ltd. as well as founder of the Shanghai-based B2B2C communications and marketing agency Salt & Pepper. In 2020, he founded the first European economic development office of the Huangpu District (Guangzhou) in Germany and developed it into a well-known representation of the Greater Bay Area international innovation hub. Among other things, he teaches about China's innovation system as part of the KoWinChi project of the Universities of Würzburg and FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg.

Email: daniel.frerichs∂asia-pilots.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/danielfrerichs

Peter Helis

is a renowned expert with over 20 years of experience in China, specializing in government affairs and cooperation between China and Europe. A graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London with a degree in Chinese Studies, he combines academic rigor with practical expertise. Peter is fluent in German, English, Mandarin, and Cantonese and is an expert in navigating the complexities of intercultural business and political environments. Peter is the international representative of Invest Guangzhou and chief advisor to the Huangpu District in Guangzhou, one of China's most dynamic economic centers. As a recognized expert on the Greater Bay Area (GBA), Peter uses his deep understanding of this important region to drive effective initiatives. Through his extensive work in Chinese government affairs, he has become a trusted authority, advising on political issues and promoting international partnerships. A sought-after speaker, Peter regularly captivates audiences in both English and Chinese and is a frequent speaker at prestigious platforms and in media outlets such as the Hamburg Summit, the International Forum on China Reform, and the South China Morning Post.