A Two-decade Bond with China

Juergen Haering is a seasoned expert in the field of global automotive precision manufacturing, and established Haering Precision Technology (Taicang) Co., Ltd., in 2004. For over two decades, he has championed close cooperation between China and Germany in intelligent manufacturing, technical standards and vocational education. He has also played an active role in facilitating cultural and business exchanges between Chinese and German enterprises. In recognition of these contributions, he was awarded the prestigious 2025 Chinese Government Friendship Award.

Love at first sight

In spring 2004, Haering set foot in Taicang, Jiangsu province, for the first time — a moment when Taicang's cooperation with Germany was still in its infancy. After observing the yet to be completed industrial park, he walked the full circuit of the project's perimeter, taking in the bustling construction workers, the neatly planned roads and the rows of brand-new, standardized factory buildings. His eyes sparkled with excitement. "What I saw was not just an industrial zone beginning to take shape, but a blue ocean of manufacturing ready for explosive growth," said Haering.

"My vision was not just to build a basic production plant, but to establish a comprehensive R&D and manufacturing base that could grow alongside China's industrial supply chains, integrating a 'German heart' into 'Made in China'." This unwavering conviction stemmed from both an entrepreneur's keen insight into the market and a technical expert's profound intuition regarding industrial transformation. Over the following two decades, Haering invested almost one billion RMB in China, gradually transforming his company from a single production unit into an integrated innovation hub encompassing R&D, training and standards formulation.

Stepping into the Haering Taicang facility, visitors can see fully automated flexible production lines working seamlessly with a digital manufacturing execution system. This results in 85 percent of manufacturing processes being automated.

"Intelligent manufacturing is not just the aggregation of machines, but the harmonious integration of people, processes and data," said Haering. Driven by this vision, the company has taken the lead in formulating four national and industry-wide standards, providing robust support for elevating China's precision machining capabilities to the forefront of the global stage.

A German family's China story

Haering and his family have been immersed in Chinese culture for over two decades. He spearheaded the establishment of the Sino-German Friendship Kindergarten, an institution that blends German early childhood education philosophies with traditional Chinese culture. Implementing a bilingual immersion curriculum has enabled the kindergarten to benefit more than 200 Chinese and German families. His own family is a vivid microcosm of Sino-German cultural exchange: his two daughters have studied Chinese since childhood and speak the language fluently. They set a shining example of people-to-people friendship between China and Germany, embodying the idea that culture is the bond and trust is the bridge.

"They love ancient Chinese poetry and Taicang's sabre-fish wontons," Haering said with a smile. "Cultural integration happens right here, in our everyday lives."

During an interview with major German media outlets in 2025, he drew upon his own first-hand experiences to present an authentic, multifaceted and rapidly developing China that is increasingly open to Europe. His family stands as a living symbol of the harmonious blend between Chinese and German cultures.

Mutual benefit and a shared future

"I often tell my German friends that to truly understand modern China, they can't rely solely on media reports. They must come here in person, walk around, observe and engage in conversation," said Haering. Through his efforts to build connections, numerous renowned German enterprises have successfully established a presence in Taicang.

At the same time, he has actively encouraged private Chinese enterprises to adopt advanced German technologies, thereby empowering more local firms to leverage German expertise, enhance their competitiveness, and expand into international markets. He believes that cooperation is a process of mutual empowerment between China and Germany — German companies contribute advanced technology and management expertise, while China offers a dynamic market environment and a wealth of innovative opportunities.

Haering has fully embraced his role as a bridge-builder and facilitator, deepening bilateral cooperation between China and Germany and helping realize the noble vision of mutual benefit, win-win outcomes and a shared future.

Source: Science and Technology Daily