Test the China market (Anhui and Sichuan Provinces)

About the mission

This September, we are convening a select business delegation for manufacturers, technology businesses and investors who want to read the China market first-hand—and turn new connections into commercial outcomes.

The programme is centred on World Manufacturing Convention 2026 (WMC 2026) and is intended for companies working across intelligent connected new energy vehicles, robotics and embodied intelligence, next-generation information technology, new energy and energy storage, advanced photovoltaics, high-end equipment and instrumentation, new and frontier materials, advanced displays, intelligent voice and AI, the low-altitude economy and smart home and living.

Why Anhui and Sichuan?

The World Manufacturing Convention is approved by China’s State Council and is Anhui Province’s flagship international event. Its permanent home is Hefei, where it opens on 20 September each year. Across eight editions since 2018, it has drawn more than 40,000 delegates from over 100 countries and regions, hosted 184 international and market-oriented events, and led to more than 5,061 signed projects worth over RMB 3.6 trillion.

Anhui is one of the clearest examples of China’s industrial shift. Roughly 10% of the world’s display panels, 8% of China’s industrial robots, 10% of its cars and new energy vehicles, 15% of household appliances, 20% of photovoltaic modules and 30% of photovoltaic inverters are now made in the province.

Volkswagen, Continental, Corning, Saint-Gobain, Unilever, Bosch and Röchling have built positions here, alongside HSBC, Standard Chartered, Mizuho and Bank of East Asia. More than 110 Fortune Global 500 companies now operate enterprises in Hefei.

Three cities, three different reads on the market

Programme

• 18 September: Departure.

• 19 September: Arrival in Hefei. Airport or rail transfer, check-in, and a welcome dinner to brief the delegation and set objectives for the week.

• 20 September: WMC 2026 opening and matchmaking. A full day at the Binhu International Convention & Exhibition Centre for the opening ceremony, keynote speeches and the China–EU Manufacturing International Cooperation Matchmaking Conference.

• 21 September: Hefei executive benchmarking. Visits to Zunjie Super Factory, Sungrow, China Voice Valley, the Anhui Innovation Museum, the NIO F1 plant and Gotion High-Tech, examining smart-manufacturing lines, management models and global brand-building.

• 22 September: Huainan industry and government day. Automotive and components cluster visits, together with the Sci-Tech Innovation Park and Xinqiao Exhibition Hall.

• 23 September: Chengdu investment promotion. Morning flight to Chengdu, check-in at Pujiang, and an investment promotion conference with local government and development-zone representatives.

• 24 September: Pujiang enterprise visits and departure. Visits to the Sino-German (Pujiang) SME Cooperation Zone, Pujiang International Railway Logistics Port, the Sino-German (Chengdu) AHK Vocational Training Centre, Bosch Power Tools (Chengdu) and Chengdu Chaodechuang Technology, followed by dinner and airport transfer.

What the mission is designed to produce

• VIP access to the WMC opening ceremony, high-level forums, industry conferences, project-signing events and innovation exhibitions
• Pre-arranged matchmaking with Chinese manufacturers, technology companies, investors, industrial parks, government agencies and potential distributors
• Direct meetings with local government and development-zone officials on investment incentives, market-entry routes and innovation support policies
• First-hand benchmarking inside leading plants and industrial parks across three cities

Travel and participation

UK, EU and most European passport holders can currently enter China visa-free for eligible business travel. Check the official entry guidance before travelling. Read the official entry guidance.

Because the underlying policy is targeted and places are limited, the delegation is strictly by invitation. The full itinerary, participation terms and specific platform details are shared one-to-one once an application is approved.