About ten years ago, Chinese investments in Europe barely registered. In 2014, companies from mainland China closed European deals worth €18 billion. In 2015, spending rose another 16% to the highest level on record.

A lot of that was expansion into Germany’s crucial, world-leading small and mid-sized innovative engineering enterprises. And with some tough headwinds facing the Chinese economy, most analysts are predicting a lot more mergers and acquisitions this year.

Is it a problem? No. Reports from German firms that have sold out to the Chinese are of steady employment, increased sales, and intact supplier relationships. German engineering brilliance + easy access to the world’s largest market = win win. This is an enormous opportunity.

Is it a problem? Yes. China is the largest and fastest-growing market world-wide for industrial robotics. As its own era of low-wage competitiveness comes to an end, China is preparing for the future. German engineering is building its own competitor. The threat is real.

Join five other senior business executives and thought leaders on this essential roundtable as we evaluate how Germany’s “Industrie 4.0” is influencing China’s 2025 Project, the risks and opportunities for German companies, and what Germany can do to secure its position.