Welcome back to China Insights Weekly, an analysis of China's economic and technological progress. Here are some of this week's highlights:
- Company Bayer Opens innovation centre in Beijing and promotes Chinese medicines for global markets.
- Fusion CICC will create brokerage company with a value of 1 trillion yuan that will transform China's financial sector.
- US becomes the largest recipient of Chinese foreign loans, that exceed USD 200 billion.
- 5 000 m² electricity generator Passed key tests and advanced wind power technology at high altitudes
China's outbound investment recovered in 2025 and foreign M&A increased by 70 %
In the first three quarters of 2025, China's Foreign direct investment (ODI) USD 128.9 billion, which represents year-on-year increase of 3.6 %. Non-financial ODI reached USD 110.7 billion, an increase of 4.0 % yoy, with a 13.8 % yoy increase in the third quarter alone. Notably, non-financial ODI in Belt and Road Initiative partner countries grew by 23.7 % y-o-y to USD 30.0 billion, accounting for 27 % of the total. Foreign mergers and acquisitions (M&As) totalled USD 29.8 billion, up 70 % y-o-y, driven by 16 large deals worth over USD 500 million, double last year's figure. In terms of sector value, the sector was led by Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) and consumer sectors, while TMT, advanced manufacturing and transport remained the most active sectors in terms of volume. From a regional perspective remained Asia's most desirable destination, where the value of M&A increased by 151 % year-on-year and accounted for more than 40 % of the total volume. M&A value in Europe reversed its earlier decline seen in the first half of 2025, and Latin America was the only region to see growth in both value and M&A volume.
Maersk opens flagship logistics centre in Shanghai worth $140 million
Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk opened the flagship logistics centre in Shanghai's Lingang Special Zone, in which he has invested over US$140 million. The 113,000 square metre facility with 147,000 square metres of warehouse space is designed as a multi-purpose centre offering a full suite of value-added logistics services. The new centre will enhance the Group's omnichannel capabilities while strengthening the connection between China and international markets. The centre aims to support customers facing changing business patterns and help centralise inventory management for both B2B and B2C demand.
The Bayer E-Town open innovation centre opened in Beijing to connect Chinese innovation with global
On 15 November 2025, the German company opened Bayer in Beijing its E-Town Open Innovation Center, a key step in its „In China, for Global” strategy. It is Bayer's first innovation centre in China, with The aim is to support local biotech and pharmaceutical companies and to bring Chinese medicines to global markets. The Centre will collaborate with leading academic and clinical research institutions to strengthen research and foster digital innovation. The site also launched Bayer Co.Lab's global network of life science incubators, welcoming two new resident companies: Suzhou Puhe BioPharma a Beijing Youngen Technology. The opening ceremony coincided with the „China-Europe Science and Technology Innovation Day and the 4th China-Europe Conference on Life Science and Biopharmaceutical Innovation 2025“ jointly organized by Bayer and the China Science and Technology Exchange Center.
China's switch to electric trucks will change global demand for LNG and diesel
China's rapid transition to electric trucks is changing global fuel demand. In 2020, almost all new trucks in China will run on diesel; 22 % battery-powered trucks in the first half of 2025 New heavy truck sales, up from 9.2 % in the first half of 2024. Electric trucks are now outselling LNG-powered models, tripling their share of new sales from 8 % in 2024 to 28 % in August 2025. Electric trucks are forecast to reach nearly 46 % of new sales this year and 60 % next year. This trend could reduce China's diesel consumption faster than expected and reduce global LNG demand. China's trucks are the second largest fleet in the world after the US. The higher energy efficiency and lower cost of electric trucks can save owners 10-26 % over the life of the vehicle. Major logistics centers have added charging stations along key freight routes.
China's CICC takes over two smaller rival companies to create a 1 trillion yuan brokerage firm
Company China International Capital Corp (CICC) plans to take over two smaller brokerage firms, Dongxing Securities a Cinda Securities, by way of a merger through a share swap. The total market value of the three companies exceeds CNY 1 trillion (USD 184 billion), making them the third largest brokerage company in China in terms of revenue and the fourth largest in terms of assets. This transaction aims to support financial market reforms and promote the development of the securities industry. Trading in all three companies will be suspended in Shanghai for up to 25 days and CICC will also suspend trading in Hong Kong. The merger is part of Beijing's strategy to create world-class domestic investment banks, that will be able to compete in the global market. This is the second major merger after last year's Guotai Junan Securities a Haitong Securities, which has created an entity with assets worth CNY 1.619 trillion, equivalent to USD 227.66 billion. The China Securities Regulatory Commission aims to create two to three brokerages with global reach by 2035.
China is testing the world's largest electricity generator, which produces electricity from wind power at high altitudes
China successfully tests world's largest electricity generator, which generates electricity, in Alxa Left Banner in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The 5,000-square-meter (53,800-square-foot) generator is part of China's first national research and development project to harness wind power at high altitudes. The test demonstrated the full functionality of the kite during deployment and retraction and confirmed the potential of ground-based wind power at high altitudes. This breakthrough could open the way to more efficient and sustainable energy solutions by harnessing strong winds at higher altitudes.
As part of China's global credit rush, the United States is the biggest beneficiary of
New AidData report reveals that The US was the largest recipient of Chinese foreign loans, having received more than USD 200 billion for nearly 2,500 projects. This finding contradicts the common assumption that Chinese financing is primarily targeted at developing countries. More than three-quarters of China's foreign lending now supports projects in upper middle- and high-income countries, including critical infrastructure, minerals and high-tech assets. United Kingdom Retrieved from 60 billion USDwhile EU member states have jointly received 161 billion USD during of the 24-year period, that the study covers. The report also highlights the growing alignment between China's lending activities and its national security and economic policy priorities, particularly in the sectors identified by the „Made in China 2025“.
Chinese humanoid robot sets Guinness Book of World Records world record with 65-mile continuous march
Chinese humanoid robot AgiBot A2 Created by world record Guinness Book of World Records when he graduated 65 mile (106 km) long march across the province from Jinji Lake in Suzhou to Shanghai's Bund district. Thanks to a battery system that can be replaced in traffic, the A2 covered 106,286 kilometres without shutting down. This performance highlights the reliability and stability of humanoid robot technology and demonstrates capabilities that exceed human endurance on such long journeys.
Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena celebrates 15th anniversary with Katy Perry concert
Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai celebrates its 15th anniversary a series of events, including Katy Perry concert Since its opening in November 2010 with the Faye Wong concert, the arena has hosted over a thousand major events and welcomed nearly ten million people. The arena has become the cultural hub of the city, hosting concerts, NBA games, esports finals and awards ceremonies. The Mercedes-Benz Arena WeChat mini program will host the „15th Annual Prize Draw“ from November 22 to December 31, featuring exclusive merchandise, discount coupons, show tickets and autographed souvenirs.
Tomáš Kučera & Yereth Jansen
China-insights.com / gnews.cz - GH
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