On the occasion of All in Print China 2026, the City of Düsseldorf hosted an evening reception in Shanghai on October 12, 2026, as part of an official delegation visit to China led by Dr. Stephan Keller, Lord Mayor of Düsseldorf.

The delegation travelled to Shanghai to attend the exhibition and further strengthen economic relations and business partnerships between Düsseldorf and China. The reception underlined the strong economic ties between Germany and China, as well as the important role of Düsseldorf and Messe Düsseldorf as international hubs for industry, innovation and business cooperation.

In his welcome address, Dr. Stephan Keller highlighted Düsseldorf’s position as one of Europe’s leading business and trade fair locations and praised the long-standing, trust-based relationships with Chinese companies and partners. With more than 700 Chinese companies established in Düsseldorf, the city has become a key destination for Chinese investment and an important gateway to the German and European markets.

Representing Print Promotion and the VDMA Printing and Paper Technology Association, Managing Director Richard Clemens and Christina Feist, together with Doris Yang from the VDMA Shanghai Office, attended the reception hosted by the City of Düsseldorf. The delegation accepted an invitation from Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa at Messe Düsseldorf, and Evian Gu, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf China.

The reception provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the VDMA, Print Promotion and Messe Düsseldorf, foster personal connections and explore opportunities for future cooperation. The evening reflected a shared commitment to supporting the international printing and paper technology industry and further strengthening economic ties between Germany and China.

Messe Düsseldorf plays a central role in fostering German-Chinese business relations. Through its portfolio of leading international trade fairs, particularly drupa, the world’s leading trade fair for printing technologies, the company provides key platforms for knowledge exchange, technological innovation and business development. All in Print China is an excellent example of this successful cooperation. As part of the drupa alliance, the exhibition connects the Chinese printing and packaging industry with international markets, promoting dialogue between companies, technology providers and industry experts. At the same time, it highlights the close and successful partnership between Messe Düsseldorf and its Chinese partners.

The reception also offered an opportunity to celebrate the strong relationship between Düsseldorf and China, strengthen existing partnerships and create fresh momentum for future collaboration. Against the backdrop of an increasingly dynamic global business environment, the evening underscored the importance of personal exchange, mutual trust and long-term economic relationships.

The key message of the evening was clear: Düsseldorf and Shanghai are connected by far more than shared economic interests. Both cities stand for international openness, innovation and a common commitment to shaping the future of industry. For Print Promotion and VDMA Printing and Paper Technology, the reception once again demonstrated the value of strong international networks and close cooperation in supporting the continued development of the global printing and packaging industry.