Thomas Triller, deputy German consul-general in Shanghai, speaks about Taicang's advantages in attracting German enterprises on Jan 15. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Taicang in East China's Jiangsu province hosted a ceremony on Jan 15, celebrating the signing of seven German-invested service projects worth 8 billion yuan ($1.24 billion), as well as the introduction of new measures to develop the smart manufacturing industry.

The projects include a German-style commercial street, a hotel invested in by Germany's hotel industry leader Maritim, and the Bosch Connected Industry Application Demonstration Center.

Local authorities said that Taicang has achieved rapid development in Sino-German relationships over the past 20 years. As of now, the city is home to more than 360 German companies.

The Bosch Connected Industry Application Demonstration Center (right) is unveiled in Taicang on Jan 15. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Thomas Triller, deputy German consul-general in Shanghai, said that the heavy concentration of German enterprises in Taicang proves their confidence in China's development.

He spoke highly of the city's efforts in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in supporting German enterprises and employees.

In the past year, the unprecedented business environment created by the pandemic has greatly dampened the investment confidence of international investors.

On Dec 30, 2020, Chinese and European leaders jointly announced the completion of the China-European Union Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) negotiations as scheduled.

Triller said that the CAI will facilitate trade between China and Germany, while the German-style commercial street in Taicang will function as a window to German culture.

An artist's sketch of the German-style commercial street, which will be built in Taicang and open to business by the end of 2022. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]