Chengdu Businesses Expand Overseas, Securing Orders and Seizing New Opportunities
Over the past month, Chengdu has been intensifying its global outreach, with business delegations traveling abroad to secure contracts and explore new markets. From Munich to Riyadh and Bangkok, the city’s enterprises, universities, and research institutions are forging international partnerships and advancing cooperation in technology, manufacturing, and logistics. These efforts have resulted in significant deals, including agreements worth over 5 billion yuan, while also opening doors to broader development opportunities. Supported by an expanding network of international air routes and the Belt and Road Initiative’s supply chain service stations, Chengdu is positioning itself as a dynamic inland hub for global trade, ensuring its innovations and products can reach markets worldwide more efficiently.
Technology and Innovation Drive International Cooperation
“Just returned from Munich, I need to quickly organize the cooperation points,” said Han Zhou’an, Supervisor of the Chengdu Aerospace Industry Alliance. His busy May Day holiday followed a productive trip to Germany, where multiple Chengdu-based tech companies, universities, and research institutes participated in the “Sci-Tech Tianfu · Smart Chengdu” China (Chengdu)–Germany International Innovation and Technology Exchange Conference. The event yielded 18 cooperation agreements on the spot.
This was only one snapshot of Chengdu’s intensive overseas activities in April. On April 15, the Chengdu Conference on Opening-Up and Development called for leveraging continuous openness to drive high-quality economic growth, turning challenges into new growth variables. Immediately afterward, multiple overseas delegations departed. In Riyadh, industrial companies from Chengdu showcased their products, signing contracts worth over 5 billion yuan. In Thailand, Chengdu logistics and supply chain enterprises engaged local counterparts to advance international logistics corridors.
Beyond Orders: Expanding the Scope of Opportunity
“The gains are not just in orders, but in higher-level, broader opportunities,” said Deng Shiyu, Secretary-General of the Sino-German Science and Technology Academic Association, who introduced a “technology + capital” dual-driven cooperation model and proposed setting up an office in Chengdu. The idea quickly received a positive response, and the association is now working to organize a delegation of German tech companies to visit Chengdu.
For Tang Junwen, General Manager of Qianfang High-Energy AI Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd., joining the delegation to Saudi Arabia revealed another market advantage. With over 60% of the Gulf Cooperation Council population under 30 and an internet penetration rate of 90%—well above the global average—the region offers a vast blue ocean for digital economy development. His company has decided to send a dedicated team for long-term operations in Saudi Arabia.
Overseas Expansion Through Company Registration
In addition to trade missions and logistics improvements, more Chengdu enterprises are choosing to establish a legal presence abroad through 海外公司注册 (overseas company registration). By setting up subsidiaries or branch offices in key markets such as Singapore, Dubai, and Frankfurt, companies can gain easier access to local banking services, reduce trade barriers, and participate more actively in regional supply chains. For example, a Chengdu-based smart manufacturing firm recently registered an overseas entity in Singapore to streamline customs procedures for Southeast Asian exports. Local industry experts note that this trend not only facilitates smoother international transactions but also strengthens brand credibility in competitive markets.
Building Air Links to Match Trade Routes
As companies venture overseas, Chengdu is also accelerating international connectivity. Just before the May Day holiday, the city announced the launch or resumption of 14 international passenger and cargo routes. These include Paris, Dubai, Penang in Malaysia, and Osaka in Japan—closely matching the destinations of recent trade delegations.
“Chengdu is inland, so building strong channels is crucial for companies to go global,” said an official from the Chengdu Port and Logistics Office. The newly launched Chengdu–Dubai cargo route is particularly significant. In 2024, Dubai Airport handled over 92 million passengers, ranking second globally, and its cargo volume is among the highest in the world. This new route not only marks Chengdu’s first direct cargo connection to the Middle East but also creates an important logistics corridor for Southwest China’s electronic information and high-end manufacturing industries.
Expanding Belt and Road Supply Chain Services
To better support companies in going global, Chengdu aims to establish 100 Belt and Road International Supply Chain Service Stations by the end of 2027, organizing enterprises to connect with overseas partners through these hubs. Currently, the city has 25 such stations, including in Beijing, Hong Kong, Astana (Kazakhstan), and Vientiane (Laos). This year, another 10 to 15 stations are expected to be added, further extending Chengdu’s global trade reach.
