MUNICH, Germany, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Deepening cooperation between the German state of Bavaria and China is essential for promoting local economic development, particularly in green and sustainable sectors, amid growing global uncertainties, said Hubert Aiwanger, deputy minister-president of Bavaria.

Aiwanger made the remarks during a dialogue at the Bavarian-Chinese Summer Dialogue 2025, held in Munich on Wednesday. The event was organized by Chinaforum Bayern e.V., a networking platform that connects companies and individuals from Bavaria, China, and other regions. It brought together more than 200 attendees from politics, business, and civil society from both countries, underscoring the strong potential for bilateral collaboration.

He emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming space for open exchange, which he believes is essential for building long-term cooperation and trust.

"Innovation in China is progressing rapidly, and this provides us with an industrial and trading partner on equal footing -- someone we can exchange ideas with and grow alongside," Aiwanger said.

He also pointed out that even though trust between Bavaria and the United States is currently under strain, maintaining a cooperative and trust-based relationship with China remains crucial for Bavarian industries.

Qiu Xuejun, consul-general of China in Munich, echoed this view by reaffirming China's strong commitment to deepening cooperation with Germany, particularly with Bavaria. He emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration across a wide range of sectors.

Qiu expressed confidence that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both nations, the China-Germany strategic partnership will yield more tangible results and deliver real benefits to people on both sides.

Currently, more than 500 Chinese companies are active in Bavaria, with many expanding operations in sales, Research and Development (R&D), and manufacturing. AVATR, a rising Chinese automotive brand, is one such example.

Kevin Tian, managing director of AVATR GmbH, said the company has established a global design center in Munich to take advantage of the city's innovative and inclusive environment, and is working with local partners to support long-term growth.

Stefan Geiger, managing director of Chinaforum Bayern, told Xinhua that the event successfully fostered meaningful dialogue among stakeholders from politics, business, and civil society.

He emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere where participants feel comfortable, as this helps foster conversations that may lead to long-term cooperation and mutual trust. ■