Six Weeks in China – Impressions, Encounters, and the Power of Genuine Relationships
After many years of regular travel to Asia, I am once again drawn to Shanghai- just in time for the Chinese New Year and he start of the Year of the Snake. This time, my trip to China spans several weeks, with the goal of reconnecting with familiar contacts, gaining new perspectives, and further expanding my network. On my last trip, the planned five weeks turned into ten – let’s see where this journey will lead.
The flight itself was a first: traveling internationally with China Eastern Airlines for the first time. Shorter flight time, good value for money – a solid start before heading into inspiring encounters on the ground.
People, Conversations, and Reunions
A particularly memorable experience was reconnecting with former colleagues after nearly ten years. Encounters like these bridge past and present in a way that can only be truly understood after long, close collaboration with Chinese partners. Meeting familiar faces, nurturing relationships, and establishing new contacts – the network in China often grows not linearly, but through the recommendations of those you already know.
Experiencing Culture Up Close
Experiencing the Chinese New Year live again was a cultural highlight. Even for those who have been in China many times, these days always have their own unique atmosphere. The mix of tradition, energy, and a sense of new beginnings is simply
contagious.
Trends & Technology: Conversations That Provide Insight
In many discussions, DeepSeek played a central role – a topic that illustrates how rapidly China is transforming technologically. Such insights usually arise from conversations with people who are deeply involved in development and market activities.
Equally fascinating were discussions on how Chinese business partners perceive Germany. These conversations often provide perspectives that are impossible to fully grasp from the outside.
Company Visits & New Opportunities
Visiting various companies once again highlighted the diversity of the Chinese market. Particularly impactful was the exchange with the local GM of a German manufacturer, who faces the challenge of reconciling rising component costs from Germany with the tough market conditions in China. This is a prime example of how different realities in the two countries can be – and how important local strategies are.
Reflections After Six Weeks
China consistently confirms: success here does not arise from speed alone. It comes from relationships – genuine, lived relationships. Trust, patience, and a nuanced understanding of cultural subtleties are crucial. Many opportunities do not arise directly but through the contacts of your contacts—often unexpectedly, but always effectively.
This trip has once again demonstrated the value of this approach and reinforced the truth: China is not only to be understood – it must be experienced.
