Becoming a Local Champion – Attract and retain Local Talent as a Chinese Employer in Germany.

Date: 04.05.2026 (Monday)

Language: English

Time: 10 am (CET)

Online (Zoom)

This jointly organized event focuses on the key challenges faced by Chinese enterprises in Germany in attracting talent and retaining employees. Observations indicate that many Chinese companies, following foreign direct investment (FDI) and mergers and acquisitions, often encounter significant difficulties in employee retention, cultural integration, and employer reputation.

Multiple research findings (including studies by the Hans Böckler Foundation and CHKD) show that, during their development in Germany, some Chinese enterprises gradually exhibit phase-specific challenges in building trust, cross-cultural communication, and local integration.

The event will feature an opening keynote followed by a discussion, aiming to raise awareness of how critical local engagement, trust-based leadership, and cultural integration are for the long-term success of Chinese FDIs. Initial insights from a comprehensive reputation and engagement analysis will be presented, based on Kununu data, media coverage, and other publicly available sources.

Building on this, the planned multi-stage research project—conducted jointly with CHKD members—will be introduced:

1. Reputation analysis of Chinese employers in Germany
2. Development of a survey focusing on trust, leadership, career paths, integration, and collaboration
3. Onsite event to present key findings and derive practical HR recommendations

A central component is the Local Engagement Framework, which distinguishes between operational integration (Level 1) and strategic, trust-building engagement (Level 2). The latter is seen as essential for fostering genuine inclusion, stable teams, and a strong employer brand.

Through best practices, case studies, and both success and failure stories, concrete recommendations for action will be provided. The goal of the event is to offer guidance to Chinese companies, promote exchange among members, and lay the foundation for a “Corporate Citizenship Playbook.”

1. Employee Attraction and Employer Branding
2. Employee Retention & Trust Building in Germany
3. Example: Kununu reviews of Chinese Employers
4. Local Engagement Framework

Please register till the 30^th of April.