The result of a good partnership: Leipzig receives donations from China
A total of 10,000 protective masks were delivered to the city thanks to the Leipzig Liaison Office of the Chinese International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector (CICCPS) and the non-governmental organisation EU-China Municipal Development Commission (ECMDC). The CICCPS/ECMDC liaison office works closely with Invest Region Leipzig GmbH to promote bilateral economic exchange in the region.
William Y. Zhang, chairman of the ECMDC, sent a video message to the City of Leipzig. In it, he expressed his sorrow at the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus in Germany, including the City of Leipzig. Mr Zhang said he was aware that it was now necessary to maintain social distancing and wear protective masks to contain the virus. The donation is a "gesture of good
This successful partnership is the result of many years of cooperation. In June 2019, Clemens Schülke, Head of the Office for Economic Development of the Leipzig Region, together with Michael Körner, Managing Director of Invest Region Leipzig, visited Leipzig's twin towns Nanjing and Jining in Eastern China to promote Leipzig companies in China. The aim of the trip was to strengthen the partnership between the two economic metropolises and to promote economic relations. Many of the meetings with high-ranking representatives from the business and political circles in the region were arranged in advance with the support of the EU-China Municipal Development Commission.
The city representatives signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to strengthen the economic cooperation between the twin cities. This includes making opportunities for Chinese companies to locate and invest in Leipzig even more widely known. In the future, new partnerships - such as for the distribution of Leipzig products on the Chinese market - are also to be established.
As part of the partnership with Invest Region Leipzig, a "Preferential Policy" was developed, which describes the attractive site conditions and offers in the Leipzig region to Chinese companies. Leipzig's Mayor Burkhard Jung presented this document to the Mayor of Nanjing Ms HAN Liming. Leipzig District Administrator Henry Graichen gave it to Mr SHI Guangliang, mayor of Jining, on behalf of the Leipzig Region.
This exchange is a perfect example of the excellent international relationships that the Leipzig region has and will continue to have far beyond economic purposes.