Chinese companies are competitive, ready to learn, improve: trade fair chief

People look at a generator using hydrogen energy during the Hannover Messe in Hannover, Germany, on April 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

The group of Chinese exhibitors is the second largest this year after host country Germany, and followed by Italy, Türkiye, the United States, the Netherlands and this year's partner country Indonesia.

HANNOVER, Germany, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies are competitive in the global markets and are always ready to learn and improve, Jochen Koeckler, chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG, commented on Wednesday on the 800-odd companies from China that participate in Hannover Messe 2023.

The trade fair, one of the world's largest and lasting from April 17 to April 21, showcases more than 4,000 companies, which present solutions for the production and energy supply of the future.

"They are welcome on this global marketplace here in Hannover," Koeckler told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

In the past three years, several Chinese companies were not able to participate in the trade fair due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Koeckler said he was happy to see the return of Chinese exhibitors in such a large number.

The group of Chinese exhibitors is the second largest this year after host country Germany, and followed by Italy, Türkiye, the United States, the Netherlands and this year's partner country Indonesia.

A man shakes hands with an intelligent robot during the Hannover Messe in Hannover, Germany, on April 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

"There is still room (for the number of Chinese companies) to grow. So, we still invite those companies that are not participating this year and are interested in the topics of Hannover Messe. They are very welcome here," Koeckler said.

Asked for his advice to interested Chinese companies, he said that "If you're joining the trade show for the first time, you cannot expect to be the best one ... But if you're participating year by year, you learn the needs of the customers and the visitors."

China, he said, has developed a lot over the past 10 or 20 years, especially in the fields of electromobility and robotics.

In Hannover, the companies are not competing against each other, he said. "It's about the next brilliant idea."

Focusing on industrial transformation, this year's edition of the fair incorporates themes such as carbon-neutral production, artificial intelligence, hydrogen technologies and energy management.

An intelligent robot imitates the gesture of a man during the Hannover Messe in Hannover, Germany, on April 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)