Despite global market turbulence, foreign investors remain as enthusiastic as ever about Qingdao.

On November 5, the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai. Zeng Zanrong attended the opening ceremony, visited several corporate booths, and—together with Song Junji and others—witnessed the signing of the Phase III for AstraZeneca’s Inhalation Aerosol Production and Supply Base Project in Qingdao National High-tech Industrial Development Zone.

It marks AstraZeneca’s third consecutive year of expanding investment in the Qingdao High-tech Zone since March 2023.

The 8th China International Import Expo

Over the past eight years of the CIIE, a clear path has taken shape between Qingdao and multinational companies—where exhibits become products and exhibitors turn into investors.

Led by companies like AstraZeneca and Nestlé, many global giants have recently announced new rounds of investment in Qingdao, positioning the city as a key pillar of their long-term strategy in China.

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From the World to Qingdao

On the opening day of the CIIE, AstraZeneca, a leading global pharmaceutical company, signed an agreement with the Qingdao High-tech Zone Administrative Committee to invest an additional USD 136 million.

The expansion will further boost AstraZeneca’s production capacity for inhaled aerosols, helping better serve patients with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions. The Qingdao facility also integrates energy-efficient technologies and is expected to operate at near-zero carbon emissions once in production.

Iskra Reic, AstraZeneca’s Executive Vice President, International, and Head of International Business, said, “The expansion of our Qingdao site, announced at this year’s CIIE, reflects our confidence in China’s innovation ecosystem and our shared vision to advance science and health together.”

Exhibition Area of AstraZeneca

Beyond AstraZeneca, a growing number of multinational companies have recently unveiled new investments in Qingdao.

Nestlé, a world-leading food and beverage company, has been deepening its long-term presence in China—with Qingdao playing a vital role in its strategy.

On October 28, Nestlé held a commissioning ceremony for its new UHT milk and 1.8g coffee sachet production lines in Laixi, Qingdao. The Laixi plant is Nestlé’s only facility in Greater China producing both liquid dairy and instant coffee products—and the sole factory across Asia, Africa, and Oceania capable of producing Gerber-branded wet products.

Kais Marzouki, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé Greater China Region, said that Nestlé’s commitment to the Chinese market remains strong. The company will continue to leverage its global resources to bring more innovative products and services to China and grow in step with China’s economy.

Exhibition Area of Nestlé

Also in October, Weiss Chemie signed a letter of intent with the Administrative Committee of the Qingdao Sino-German Ecopark to establish its first production base in China.

As one of Germany’s “hidden champions,” Weiss Chemie’s new manufacturing base in Qingdao marks its first production facility in the Asia-Pacific region. The plant will produce the company’s signature high-end adhesives and sealants, primarily for the door, window, and construction industries.

Since China is the world’s largest grain importer, China’s market decisions by global agribusiness giants like Louis Dreyfus have far-reaching influence across the industry.

At this year’s CIIE, Louis Dreyfus showcased a diverse portfolio—from animal nutrition solutions to food ingredients and instant coffee—signaling its move further downstream along the value chain.

In line with this strategy, the company broke ground in June on a new food technology industrial center in Qingdao’s Dongjiakou Economic Zone. The facility will focus on oilseed processing, specialty feed protein production, and food-grade phospholipids.

Michael Gelchie, CEO of Louis Dreyfus Company, said, “Roughly 20% of the world’s food supply depends on global trade. Achieving sustainable food security and development requires deeper multilateral cooperation.”

Through real, tangible investment, those global companies are casting a strong vote of confidence in Qingdao.

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From Qingdao to the World

As multinational companies deepen their presence in China, many have come to realize that “investing in China” is not just about capital or products—it’s about understanding Chinese consumers and advancing localization on a deeper level.

“20 Years in Qingdao” was the theme of the booth of Tenaris, an Argentine multinational group, at this year’s CIIE. On October 31, its Qingdao plant celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Over the past two decades, the Qingdao plant has grown from a single oil casing production site into Tenaris’s integrated manufacturing and service hub for energy pipes and auto parts in the Asia-Pacific region.

Liu Jinghua, Managing Director of Tenaris Asia-Pacific, said, “Looking ahead, we will continue to take Qingdao as a strategic hub, invest in technological upgrades, green manufacturing, and talent development, and work hand in hand with China’s energy and high-end manufacturing sectors toward a high-quality, sustainable future by leveraging our strength as a multinational.”

Exhibition Area of Tenaris

An innovative “bipedal walking + wheeled gliding” system allows it to move at over two meters per second.

This humanoid robot—capable of object manipulation, part inspection, reality capture, and operator assistance—is AEON, Hexagon’s industrial humanoid robot making its global debut at this year’s CIIE.

“In the past, we brought foreign technologies into China; now we’re exporting innovations developed here to the world,” said Zhou Qing, Operations Director of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence East China. With Qingdao as its headquarters in the Greater China Region, Hexagon is continuously strengthening its innovation ecosystem in China.

Exhibition Area of Hexagon

Danone, the French food and nutrition giant, showcased infant and specialized nutrition products at this year’s CIIE—all produced on the automated production lines of its Qingdao plant.

Notably, during his stay in Shanghai, in addition to attending CIIE events, Zeng Zanrong visited ZF Asia Pacific Group Co., Ltd. and met with Wang Runyi, Executive Vice President of ZF Group and President of ZF Group (China). Zeng encouraged the company to expand its investment in Qingdao, deepen cooperation in the automotive sector, and pursue shared growth and mutual benefits.

As one of the earliest multinationals to invest in Qingdao, ZF Commercial Vehicle Systems (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., like Tenaris, celebrated the 20th anniversary of its factory on October 15, 2025.

As the President of ZF China, Wang Runyi noted, “Over the past two decades, our Qingdao plant has drawn on ZF’s strong technological foundation and Qingdao’s geographical advantages to take root and thrive. Today, it stands as a leader in commercial vehicle control systems both domestically and internationally, and one of ZF’s key manufacturing bases in China.”

Starting from Qingdao, those multinational companies have grown and expanded their horizons, once again gaining an edge in global competition—powered by “Made in Qingdao.”

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Why They Choose Qingdao

As the CIIE enters its eighth year, one recurring theme has been its “spillover effect”—reflected in the two groups of regulars who never miss the event.

One group consists of state-owned enterprises and major foreign trade platforms—the backbone of Qingdao’s delegation each year. They come to the expo to seek deeper partnerships and secure new procurement deals and joint ventures.

The other group is investment promotion officers from Qingdao’s districts and county-level cities. For them, the CIIE is the most important platform of the year to attract investment, and turning exhibitors into investors takes all their skill and effort.

The Exhibition Venue of the 8th China International Import Expo

There’s no doubt that the CIIE serves as a high-level gateway and exchange platform. Today, the challenge is to turn that gateway advantage into real development dividends.

But real results don’t come from just six days of activity. They’re built on ongoing reforms in market access, approval processes, and a steadily improving business environment.

“Qingdao values business, serves enterprises efficiently, and fosters fertile ground for industrial collaboration. We are committed to building a world-class, market-oriented, law-based, and international business environment, and to making government services truly efficient.”

This was Qingdao’s commitment at the 2025 Shandong–Multinationals Industrial Ecosystem Partnership Dialogue held during the CIIE on November 6.

2025 Shandong–Multinationals Industrial Ecosystem Partnership Dialogue

Behind this is Qingdao’s core development vision: advancing high-level opening-up and creating a business environment where companies can grow with confidence.

And that is the clearest reason why multinational companies continue to deepen their investment in Qingdao.