引言 | Introdcution

2025 might be one of the most remarkable years for business in China: The tariffs war started by US administration hit global economy and especially China. Not only businesses selling to or sourcing from US market have been experiencing big shock and tremendous pressure on either top or bottom line, but many other companies have big concern about the short-term and long-term impact of the tariffs war on outlook for business growth and profitability in China.

But not all the news in 2025 is negative. One of the positive news at the beginning of the year might be the success story of DeepSeek which has increased awareness and popularity of AI technology in the country. Accelerated development and penetration of AI technology bring strong impulse for digital transformation of business, which may lead to increased productivity and profitability in the coming years.

While business environment in China and global markets have become increasingly volatile (V), uncertain (U), complex (C), and ambivalent (A), all companies must get ready for rising to the challenges in this VUCA world. Improving cost efficiency, maintaining liquidity and financing, bringing forward digital transformation, optimizing team and people management, as well as better communication between local operation and global HQ, ……, the agenda or to-do list for China business executives as well as for their internal consultants and business partners in finance & controlling function is long.

The 2025 Sino-Foreign Controlling Forum aims to provide a platform for information, communication, and experience sharing among finance & controlling professionals as well as non-financial managers in a time, in which good and constantly evolving controlling practice is more important than ever. Besides interesting keynote presentations, the Forum offers, just as in the previous years, breakout sessions dealing with different topics relevant for maintaining and improving business and financial performance in China.

One remarkable point of the 2025 Forum is its name: In comparison to previous years, we have changed the name of the Forum in this year, from “Sino-German Controlling Forum” to “Sino-Foreign Controlling Forum”. With this change, we are welcoming more non-German companies in the foreign business community in China to join our Forum.

Looking forward to meeting old and new friends in the 2025 Forum, we wish you and your business more confidence, resilience, and success in this challenging time!