Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius (right), and chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG Oliver Blume (left) speak to reporters at the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing on March 22, 2026. Photos: Tao Mingyang/GT

The China Development Forum (CDF) 2026 opened in Beijing on Sunday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the CDF, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius highlighted China’s appeal as “the dynamic innovation landscape,” and chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG Oliver Blume underscored the group’s success in the Chinese market.

Källenius, told the reporters at the CDF 2026  that China has an appeal as “the dynamic innovation landscape,” noting that the company is “investing massively… into new products,” while “further deepening our partnerships with tech companies, both the big tech companies, but also new interesting start-ups.”

He added that China offers “an environment where you can experience new technologies and take part of this very, very innovative and dynamic landscape,” stressing that despite intense competition, “we play for the long term.”

Källenius said Mercedes-Benz is investing massively into new innovation, technology and products, setting the company up for success for many years to come, and sees China as a base to “do development in China for China, but also in China for the world.” “We’re excited about this,” he told the reporters.

Meanwhile, Blume, emphasized ongoing cooperation with China, telling reporters on Sunday that “we are cooperating with China in many fields, as we are located with Volkswagen Group in China.”

He described 2026 as “a very decisive one for Volkswagen Group entering in the NEV segment with a lot of new cars,” adding that “this will be exciting.”

Blume also pointed to broader global uncertainties, noting “we are in a fast-changing, changing world,” with geopolitical crises “one effect more,” while stressing the company is watching carefully what will happen.

Also, he added that he is “very happy being so successful here in China, having started the year as a market leader in the automotive segment.”

The annual CDF is held under the theme "China in its 15th Five-Year Plan Period: Advancing High-Quality Development and Creating New Opportunities Together."

More than 100 representatives from major international organizations, global multinational corporations, and leading research institutions, along with internationally renowned scholars, will gather at the forum, according to the forum’s organizer.

Global Times