The year 2025 could prove to be particularly formative for the Chinese economy. The trade conflict initiated by the US government has not only affected the global economy, but has also put China under severe pressure. Companies that export to or purchase from the US are facing considerable challenges – both in terms of turnover and profit margins. But other companies are also increasingly concerned about the short-term and long-term effects of the tariff dispute on growth prospects and profitability in China.

Nevertheless, not all developments in 2025 are negative. One bright spot at the start of the year was the success of DeepSeek – a company that has made a significant contribution to the growing acceptance and awareness of AI technology in the country. The rapid progress and increasing spread of artificial intelligence are providing a strong tailwind for the digital transformation of companies – with the prospect of greater efficiency and profitability in the coming years.

Against the backdrop of a global market environment increasingly characterized by volatility (V), uncertainty (U), complexity (C) and ambivalence (A) – VUCA for short – companies are required to adapt to a wide range of challenges. Increasing efficiency, securing liquidity and financing, digital transformation, personnel optimization and improved communication between local units and global headquarters are at the top of managers’ agendas – as well as on the to-do lists of their internal consultants and business partners from the Finance & Controlling department.

The Sino-Foreign Controlling Forum 2025 sees itself as a platform for exchange, knowledge transfer and networking between financial managers, controllers and non-financial managers – at a time when good and continuously evolving controlling is more important than ever. In addition to exciting keynotes, the forum offers – as in previous years – practice-oriented breakout sessions on various key topics relating to the optimization of corporate and financial performance in China.

One innovation in 2025 is the renaming of the event: the “Sino-German Controlling Forum” will become the “Sino-Foreign Controlling Forum”. With this step, the aim is to specifically address international, non-German companies in China’s foreign business community and invite them to participate.

We look forward to welcoming familiar and new participants to the forum – and wish all companies confidence, adaptability and sustainable success in these challenging times.