Bridging Nations Through Standards: DKE Opens New Office in Nanjing, China

A Strategic Step for Stronger Global Ties

The inauguration of the DKE office in Nanjing marks a pivotal moment in enhancing technical exchange between Germany and China. As one of the world's leading industrial nations, China plays a crucial role in global supply chains and the development of digital infrastructure, mobility, and energy technologies. For German businesses, particularly in the high-tech and electrotechnical sectors, understanding and accessing China's dynamic market is vital.

“We’re not just opening an office - we’re building a bridge,” said DKE Member of the DKE Management Florian Spiteller during the inauguration. “Our presence in Nanjing is a clear signal that dialogue and cooperation in standardization are more important than ever.”

Nanjing: A Hub for Global Standardization

Nanjing has emerged as a strategic center for international standardization efforts. Alongside the new DKE office, the city also hosts the IEC Promotion Center. This center plays a key role in raising awareness of the importance of IEC's global standards, facilitating local capacity-building, and promoting the adoption and implementation of international standards across Chinese industries and institutions.

The co-location of DKE and the IEC Promotion Center in Nanjing enables joint initiatives that foster harmonization of standards, expand technical cooperation, and strengthen international dialogue. This shared presence underscores Nanjing’s role as a focal point for global standardization activities.

Why China Matters for German Industry

China is not just a competitor; it is also a key partner. As global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and energy transition demand joint solutions, cooperation is more crucial than confrontation. For German companies, China offers both opportunity and complexity. Trade with China is essential for sales and growth in industrial sectors such as mechanical engineering, automotive and intelligent infrastructure in Germany.

According to a report from the German Economic Institute (Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft IW, Köln), the total direct investment by German companies in China reached a record high of 11.9 billion Euro in 2023, accounting for over 10 percent of Germany's total overseas investment—the highest level since 2014. Additionally, more than 5,000 German enterprises have established operations in China, highlighting the market's significance.

DKE Managing Director Michael Teigeler explained, “The Chinese market is one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in the world. Joint international exchange in standardization enables German companies - also outside of Europe - to demonstrate their innovative strength and competitiveness, help shape the future of electrical engineering developments and participate in global markets.” The new office in Nanjing provides a direct channel for engagement, enabling better alignment on technical standards, conformity, and mutual recognition - all essential for reducing friction in cross-border business.

Common Standards Create Common Ground

As Germany’s commission for electrotechnical standardization, we know that globally harmonized standards are the foundation of successful international cooperation. Standards ensure that products and systems can interoperate seamlessly across borders. They lower market entry barriers, build trust between partners, and allow businesses to focus on innovation rather than duplication.

The collaboration between DKE and its Chinese counterparts has aimed to create shared platforms for future-oriented technologies. Since 2012, the annual SGSCC (Sino-German Standardization Cooperation Commission) meetings are a testament to this effort. Held between the three standardization organizations DKE, DIN, and SAC (Standardization Administration of China), these meetings foster open dialogue, transparency, and coordination in fields like smart manufacturing, electromobility, and artificial intelligence.

“Standards are like a common language,” said Florian Spiteller. “They don’t just help machines talk to each other—they help nations work together.”

Standardization and strategy: Shaping the future together

Digitalization is advancing and the world is growing together. We take this into account by launching different thrust areas and attending important target projects.

Our goal is to further develop standardization and to make our contribution as a standardization organization in business, society and politics.

A Platform for Future Innovation

By establishing a permanent presence in China, DKE can support German companies more directly on the ground—whether it's helping to navigate local standardization bodies, finding partnerships for R&D, or aligning roadmaps for emerging technologies.

With the Nanjing office, DKE also aims to build stronger academic and industrial networks, fostering knowledge exchange and contributing to a more unified and resilient global standardization community.

“Our mission goes beyond documents and technical specifications,” noted Michael Teigeler. “We are shaping the frameworks that define the technologies of tomorrow. And we believe those frameworks must be built together.”

The Path Ahead

Despite growing skepticism in some political circles regarding closer trade ties with China, DKE’s position remains clear: technical collaboration and internationally agreed standards are powerful tools to ensure fair, transparent, and innovation-friendly global markets.

With its office in Nanjing, DKE reinforces its role as a facilitator of global understanding - proving that in a world of growing complexity, dialogue and standards can be a stabilizing force.

As international cooperation becomes both more challenging and more necessary, DKE remains committed to the belief that standards are not just technical - they are strategic.