Ticker Business Journal

The Ticker is the business journal of the German Chamber of Commerce in China. This free English language magazine is published four times a year and features quality content from member companies and those with Sino-German Expertise. Readers benefit from practical and in-depth cover stories, features and op-eds on a range of economic, social, technological, environmental and governance topics.

Current Ticker Issue | Fall 2024 | Innovation in China

After years of careful planning and investment in innovation, China now boasts one of the most intricate innovation ecosystems in the world. A myriad of policies – along with a unique economic structure and government guidance - created an influential network bonding startups, corporations, development zones, financial institutions, and universities. This network is spurring innovative growth and an entrepreneurial mindset in China like never before.

China’s goal of becoming an innovation powerhouse provides great opportunities for foreign companies – yet many struggle to make sense of the support system and financial incentives China has to offer.  As geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds continue to hamper companies’ success in China, German businesses will be wise to invest in localizing their innovation efforts and hiring staff that could identify relevant financial aid.

In this issue of the German Chamber Ticker, we explore China’s recent developments in the field of innovation. We start with the German Chamber’s 2024 Innovation Report, a comprehensive report detailing China’s innovation ecosystem and the current situation of German companies’ innovation efforts in China. We continue with an overview of Generative AI tools in China, and explore the legal framework and challenges for SMEs using such tools in the country. We then look at the automotive sector, examining innovation in vehicle lighting and its importance to future mobility.

In our Features section, we bring key findings from our recent Labor Market and Salary Report, highlighting important trends in salary shifts, staffing, and expected salary growth. We then examine the recent changes to China’s New Company Law. We seal this issue with two thought-provoking opinion pieces on fostering innovation in China and the importance of in-house innovation.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Ticker. As always, please share, comment, and contribute your valuable insights to our future editions of the German Chamber Ticker.

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