Strategic Pivot: From Trade Corridors to Localized Value Chains – Insights from CHKD Forum 2025

Yesterday’s attendance at the CHKD - Die Chinesische Handelskammer in Deutschland e.V. Forum 2025 at the The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin marked a definitive inflection point in the Sino-German economic dialogue. It is becoming increasingly evident that we are witnessing a structural paradigm shift: moving beyond traditional export-import relations towards substantial Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the deep localization of value chains. For us at LÈMANS Real Estate GmbH, this evolution dictates a completely new set of requirements for industrial real estate and site selection strategies.

The panel discussion provided granular insights into this operational transition. Industry leaders Xiaohong Hou, Dr. Liu Qiang , and Wenpei(Viola) Lin Brachwitz articulated a clear consensus: "In Europe, for Europe" is no longer just a slogan, but an operational imperative. The demand profile is evolving from generic logistics warehousing to highly specialized Greenfield and Brownfield developments capable of housing sophisticated R&D ecosystems and battery manufacturing clusters. These assets must now meet stringent technical specifications while ensuring Supply Chain Resilience.

Crucially, this industrial expansion is framed by a complex regulatory environment. The high-level contributions from Nicolas Zippelius MdB (CDU/CSU, Spokesperson for Economic Cooperation and Development) and Dr. Andreas Nicolin (Ministerialdirigent, BMWK) regarding Investment Screening and international geopolitics underscored that successful market entry requires more than just capital. It demands rigorous Regulatory Compliance and a nuanced understanding of the political framework surrounding critical infrastructure.

For LÈMANS, the takeaway is actionable: The market does not just need space; it needs strategic partners who understand the convergence of technical real estate requirements and regulatory due diligence. We are poised to facilitate this next phase of high-tech localization by identifying assets that align with these sophisticated investment criteria.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the organizers at CHKD and all the speakers for this inspiring exchange and the excellent organization.