April 25, 2026 •

Invest in Zhejiang” Tour 2026

Between Vision and Reality Check: My Impressions of the “Invest in Zhejiang” Tour 2026

To understand the current dynamics of the global tech landscape, one must go where the hardware of the future is not just being built, but “raised.” My participation in the “Foreign Enterprises’ Zhejiang Tour” was far more than an official appointment—it was an intense reality check that was both fascinating and thought-provoking.

The Education of Machines: Service Robotics in Practice

One of the most impressive aspects of the tour was the sheer intensity with which people are working at the intersection of hardware and Artificial Intelligence. At various stations, we were able to witness firsthand how young specialists are training robots for highly complex tasks.

Whether it was assisted service at a hospital bed or precise workflows in a commercial kitchen—this is no longer about rigid industrial processes. It is about a new generation of service robots learning to move safely and usefully in human environments. The fact that it is often very young employees who are training these systems underscores the enormous speed and acceptance with which new technologies are being put into practice here.

Potential Meets Impediments: The German Perspective

A central element of the trip was the exchange within our group of German fellow travelers. In our daily discussions, a clear, shared opinion emerged: We Germans fundamentally have the skills and the know-how to be at the forefront of technology, or even to be better. The individual expertise and engineering spirit are undeniably there.

However, the concern that united us all was equally clear: Our current political and social system is not optimally prepared for this new speed. While in Zhejiang we experienced a seamless integration of innovation, implementation, and political support, we are often slowed down at home by unsuitable framework conditions and rigid structures. The problem is not a lack of ability, but an environment that fails to bring that ability to the road with the necessary speed.

Economy, Politics, and the Search for Orientation

Each day of the trip offered a new level of context. The combination of a high-profile tech show and targeted matchmaking made it clear that this is about more than just short-term business. Economic and political topics were discussed intensely every evening—a necessary process to place the rapid local developments into a larger, global framework.

Interestingly, the goal for many participants was not an immediate contract. Instead, the focus was on orientation. In an era where technological standards are redefined almost monthly, it is a strategic necessity to recalibrate one’s own compass and understand where the world leaders are currently setting the benchmarks.

Conclusion: A Wake-up Call for the Industry

The tour through Zhejiang 2026 was a compelling plea for more courage and speed. We saw what is possible when a passion for hardware meets young talent. For us in Germany, this realization must serve as a wake-up call: We must adapt our framework conditions so that our existing skills are no longer held back by systemic hurdles. Technology does not wait for optimal conditions—it creates them.