Investment between Songjiang and Germany has been on the rise thanks to China's "bringing in" and "going global" strategies. Investment from German-funded enterprises in Songjiang district has enjoyed steady growth in 2017.

There are currently 122 German-funded enterprises in the district, including auto supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG, industrial robot manufacturer Kuka and elevator maker Thyssenkrupp. The companies have not only built factories in Songjiang, but opened regional headquarters and research and development centers.

ZF is among the first enterprises to set up a regional headquarters in the district. Its Asia-Pacific headquarters ZF (China) Investment Co, based in the Songjiang High-tech Park, now covers a total area of 54,000 square meters since a 260-million-yuan ($38-million) extension to the complex was put into use in April.

The design sketch of ZF's new project that has been put into use in April [Photo provided to sh-italent.com]