With this in mind, Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Nopper travelled to Nanjing and Shanghai. The delegation trip is part of the state capital's foreign trade activities towards Asia and also marks a return visit on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the city's friendship with Nanjing. The aim is to secure investments, strengthen existing partnerships and position Stuttgart as a reliable, cooperative player in the international arena.
CIIE business fair in Shanghai as a showcase for Stuttgart
The centerpiece of the trip was participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, 2025. The CIIE is considered China's most important import trade fair. Stuttgart presented itself there together with the friendly city of Nanjing at a joint stand of the "Sister City Collaboration Program", which also included a meeting with the Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.
Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Nopper"With this trip, we want to strengthen Stuttgart as a business location. That's why we sought an exchange with our partners in China."
Nopper continues: "We want to pave the way for cooperation - especially for car manufacturers and automotive suppliers, but also for companies from other sectors. We need the Chinese: as customers, as cooperation partners and also as investors in Stuttgart."
The trade fair presentation also serves to intensify the existing joint venture cooperation between Messe Stuttgart and Messe Nanjing, which is regarded as an example of successful German-Chinese cooperation. Messe Stuttgart has been represented on the Chinese trade fair market since 2011 with its own subsidiary, Nanjing Stuttgart Joint Exhibitions Ltd.
Meeting with Premier Li Qiang
As part of his visit to the CIIE business fair, Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Nopper met Chinese Premier Li Qiang for a personal exchange.
The economic relations between Stuttgart and China, particularly in the areas of technology, the automotive industry and sustainability, were discussed during the brief meeting. Lord Mayor Nopper described the meeting as a "valuable and confidence-building exchange" and emphasized the importance of the dialogue: "Direct contact with Chinese decision-makers is an important signal for the state capital Stuttgart. It shows that our commitment is recognized and appreciated."
Stuttgart shows willingness to cooperate
The trip to Nanjing and Shanghai is the first building block in the state capital's new Asia strategy. This is geared towards the economic, scientific and social potential of the Asia-Pacific region - with a particular focus on the existing partnerships with Mumbai (India), Ogaki (Japan), Sejong (South Korea) and Nanjing (China).
Mayor Nopper: "Our aim is to attract investment, promote innovation and secure jobs in Stuttgart."
Implementation of the Asia strategy
This is how Stuttgart will be in the coming years:
- promote the international transfer of knowledge,
- actively support the economic transformation in mobility, energy and digitalization,
- make visible use of international networks to attract investment and innovation to Stuttgart,
- and remain globally effective through the municipal implementation of national and European guidelines such as the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the EU Connectivity Strategy.
The trip to China is a building block of Stuttgart's Asia strategy - the objectives of which are clearly defined:
- Promote economic transformation - especially in the areas of mobility, energy and digitalization.
- Activate international networks to increase the visibility of Stuttgart's economy.
- Implement multi-level governance, i.e. actively shape national and European guidelines at municipal level.
- Deepen cooperation with Nanjing and Shanghai to expand innovation partnerships.
With this trip, the state capital Stuttgart is strengthening its position in the Asia-Pacific region and thus also increasing the visibility of Stuttgart's economy.
