Peter Helis Hosts OAV Delegation for Exclusive Greater Bay Area Foresight Trip in Guangzhou, German Executives Celebrate OAV's 125th Anniversary with Hands-On Immersion in GBA's Future Technologies

Guangzhou, October 24, 2025 — Peter Helis, Chief Advisor to Guangzhou Huangpu District and International Executive Representative for Invest Guangzhou, welcomed over 20 senior German executives this week for the prestigious Greater Bay Area (GBA) Foresight Trip, organized by the Ostasiatischer Verein Hamburg (OAV) – German Asia-Pacific Business Association, in partnership with Asiapilots and Porsche Consulting. Marking OAV's 125th anniversary, the exclusive five-day delegation journey—from October 19 to 24—took participants through Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, showcasing the GBA's role as "China's Silicon Valley" and a global epicenter for innovation in new mobility, smart urbanization, robotics, and the burgeoning low-altitude economy.Under Helis' guidance, the group delved into Huangpu's dynamic ecosystem, a powerhouse hosting over 3,500 high-tech enterprises and 200 Fortune 500 companies, with a special emphasis on autonomous mobility, AI-driven robotics, and urban aviation. Hands-on experiences included:

• WeRide: Thrilling Level 4 autonomous vehicle test rides and insights into end-to-end AI fleet operations.

• GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group): An exclusive tour of South China's premier electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub, highlighting advanced production lines.

• EHang: Live demonstrations of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, featuring China's first commercialization license for passenger drones.

• CVC (China Vehicle Certification): Tours of state-of-the-art labs for high-voltage battery testing and smart mobility certification processes.

• PadBot: Interactive sessions with AI humanoid robots designed for human interaction, navigation, and real-world applications.

  
  

The delegation, comprising leaders from TÜV NORD (global testing, inspection, and certification experts), Siemens AG (pioneers in digitalization), Bahlsen (premium confectionery innovators), Porsche Consulting (strategists for "China Speed" operations), and other forward-thinking firms, engaged in intensive discussions on AI ecosystems, e-mobility advancements, low-altitude economies, and the concept of "coopetition"—collaborative competition between German precision engineering and Chinese innovation velocity.Highlights of the trip included Helis' keynote address on Huangpu's economic advantages as a gateway to the GBA's 90-million-strong mega-city cluster, emphasizing its seamless blend of R&D, production scaling, and policy incentives for international partnerships. The program culminated in high-level networking at the China-German Future Tech Forum, fostering connections with GBA business and political leaders to explore joint ventures in sustainable technologies."Bridging German ingenuity with the GBA's unparalleled speed is not just an opportunity—it's essential for shaping tomorrow's global industries," said Helis. "Events like this OAV Foresight Trip illuminate how Huangpu is transforming from a manufacturing base to an innovation frontier, inviting German partners to co-create in green tech, smart cities, and beyond."The initiative, limited to 25 executives and preceded by optional attendance at the Canton Fair, underscores OAV's commitment to keeping German businesses at the forefront of Asia-Pacific trends. Participants raved about the trip's blend of experiential learning and strategic dialogue, with experts like Dr. Daniel Frerichs (Asiapilots founder and Huangpu economic advisor), Dr. David Romanowski (Porsche Consulting Senior Partner), and Jun Lu (Porsche Consulting Associate Partner) providing invaluable GBA insights.Helis expressed deep gratitude to OAV Regional Manager Greater China Louisa de Fallois for her coordination, alongside Frerichs, Romanowski, and Lu, for making the trip a resounding success.