(Yicai) Nov. 5 -- Europe’s leading equipment manufacturers, including the Dutch chip-making gear firm ASML and German industrial giant Siemens, are gathering in Shanghai for the 8th China International Import Expo, which kicked off today, eyeing new growth opportunities in the country.

“The CIIE is such a valuable platform for communication and exchange. We are looking forward to connecting more with Chinese customers, partners and industry players,” Shen Bo, ASML’s global executive vice president and president of China, told Yicai.

ASML, which is a world leader in semiconductor lithography machines, plays a key role in the global chip industry. Even though ASML’s business in China has been affected by the US’ chip export controls in recent years, the Veldhoven-based firm is still taking part in the CIIE for the seventh year running.

“Artificial intelligence is driving global demand for chips across different process nodes, with mainstream chips playing a crucial role in this growth. Through ASML’s full-spectrum lithography solutions, we are committed to helping Chinese clients seize opportunities in the mainstream chip market,” Shen said.

The expo is like a constantly running engine that brings global innovation together, said Xiao Song, president of Siemens China, who is attending the CIIE for the fifth straight year.

“China is a key source of global innovation for Siemens. The breakthroughs in new energy vehicles and AI in the country in recent years have not only surprised the world but also made us more confident about continued growth in China,” Xiao said.

Siemens has set up a major ecosystem in China consisting of 20 research and development centers, 24 manufacturing bases and over 20 digital innovation centers, which serve more than 50,000 clients and nearly 10,000 suppliers.

Moving forward, Munich-based Siemens plans to keep expanding in China, investing more in local R&D and promoting “Made-in-China” innovations globally, Xiao said.

Schott Group, a German firm which focuses on industrial specialty materials, is taking part in the CIIE for the eighth year in a row. This year, the Mainz-based firm is exhibiting quartz glass, a key material for microchip production, for the first time in China to help the semiconductor industry push past the limitations of Moore’s Law.

“At this year’s expo, we are showcasing how our specialty materials act as an ‘invisible force’ to connect smart applications through cutting-edge technologies in semiconductors, photovoltaics and automotive electronics,” said Salvatore Ruggiero, vice president and head of global marketing and communications at Schott.

Schott is also strengthening its manufacturing presence in China. For instance, it built a new electronic packaging production line in Suzhou, a city near Shanghai, this year to produce airtight components that are used in car airbags.

Jungheinrich, a German logistics and material-handling equipment maker, is also taking part in the CIIE for the eighth consecutive year. This year, the Hamburg-based firm is showcasing the latest in smart warehousing, line-side logistics and digital solutions, such as how four-way shuttles can work alongside autonomous mobile robots.

Through the CIIE, Jungheinrich continues to expand its footprint in China, attracting a large number of high-quality clients and partnerships while accelerating the implementation of its strategy across the Asia-Pacific region, the company told Yicai.

This year’s CIIE, which runs until Nov. 10, is the biggest ever with an exhibition area of more than 430,000 square meters. It has attracted over 4,100 overseas firms, up from around 3,500 last year.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Kim Taylor