LIMAK Study Trip China 2026

Experiencing innovation, broadening horizons, shaping the future

Nine days, two megacities and fascinating insights into one of the world’s most dynamic economies.

How do innovations that transform entire industries come about? What makes Chinese companies so fast-moving and competitive? And what can European executives learn from China’s innovative strength?

A group of participants in the LIMAK Global Executive MBA program explored these questions during a study trip to China from September 21 to 26, 2026.

The six-day learning journey took participants to Shanghai and Shenzhen and combined academic insights, exclusive company visits, international exchange, and cultural experiences. The focus lied on technological innovations, artificial intelligence, automation, electric mobility, and global logistics, as well as on how corporate culture, strategic thinking, and leadership influence economic success.
The goal: not only to understand China, but to experience it firsthand and gain new perspectives for one’s own leadership practice.

Shanghai: Where tradition meets future

The study trip began in Shanghai, one of Asia’s most important economic hubs. During their sightseeing tour, the participants experienced the fascinating contrasts between traditional Chinese culture, historic neighborhoods and futuristic skyscrapers. A trip to the traditional water village of Zhujiajiao offered further insights into China’s cultural heritage.

The Networking Evening held as part of AUSTRIA CONNECT CHINA 2026 was a particular highlight for us. With an impressive view of the Shanghai skyline, the event provided an opportunity to network with Austrian as well as international executives.

It became clear just how crucial personal networks, cultural understanding and trust are for successful international business relationships.

Academic Program: understanding China’s innovation eco system

At the renowned Tongji University in Shanghai, participants gained fascinating insights into China’s economic and innovation landscape under the academic supervision of Prof. Dr. Zheng Han.

The focus lied on the dynamics of Chinese innovation ecosystems, the competitiveness of international companies, and the importance of technology, digitalization, and new business models. Prof. Dr. Zheng Han was consistently able to draw valuable parallels between the Chinese ecosystem and the Western world, as he is equally at home in both.

A key insight: Successful innovation is not just a matter of technological capabilities. What matters most is the interplay of strategy, speed, market understanding, corporate culture, and consistent execution.

Company Visits in Shanghai: international strategies and technological innovation

Three companies, three industries and different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of the Chinese market:

AUDI – a global brand reimagines itself
With a premium electric vehicle brand developed specifically for China, Audi demonstrates just how thoroughly international companies must adapt to local customer needs and changing competitive conditions. It is an impressive example of strategic realignment and the courage to challenge established concepts.

ENGEL – Austrian innovation expertise in China
At the Austrian mechanical engineering company ENGEL, the focus lied on modern injection molding technologies, automation, and smart production solutions. The integration of Austrian quality and training standards with the demands of the Chinese market was particularly exciting – including the successful introduction of the Austrian apprenticeship system.

Inceptio Technology – autonomous driving becomes reality
At Inceptio Technology, participants gained insights into the development of autonomous driving technologies for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The company demonstrated how artificial intelligence and intelligent systems can bring about lasting changes in the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of freight transport.

Shenzhen: Innovation on an impressive scale

After Shanghai, the trip continued to Shenzhen, one of China’s most important centers for technology and innovation. The main focus here was on how Chinese companies develop, industrialize and scale new technologies at an impressive pace.

BGI Genomics – The future of biotechnology
At BGI Genomics, participants immersed themselves in the world of genomics and learned about the potential data-driven research, innovative technologies, and the collaboration between science and industry hold for the future of medicine.

Tencent – Digital eco systems as a model for success
Tencent impressively demonstrated how digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and a consistent focus on the customer enable new business models. Particularly fascinating was the integration of a wide variety of digital services into comprehensive platform ecosystems. Furthermore, Tencent is one of the largest tech companies in the world, yet many Europeans are still unaware of it.

BYD – A new dimension of electric mobility
Innovative battery technologies, high production capacities, and an impressive pace of development lied at the center of our visit to BYD. Live demonstrations of new technologies highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to driving the transformation of the mobility industry. Another special highlight was the opportunity to take test drives in various models and to witness a demonstration of how a battery can be fully charged in 15 minutes at an outside temperature of -30 degrees Celsius.

Yantian Port – Global logistics up close
A look behind the scenes at one of China’s most important container ports revealed the enormous scale of international trade flows. Sophisticated logistics processes, automation, and smart infrastructure underscored the importance of efficiency and digitalization for global supply chains. European companies can currently only dream of such processing speeds.

UBTECH Robotics – The future of robotics
The company visits concluded with a visit to UBTECH Robotics. Fascinating insights into humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence highlighted just how rapidly these technologies are advancing and what impact they could have on industrial processes and the workplace in the future. Experiencing a humanoid robot live and up close – and even seeing it dance – once again underscores just how much is already possible.

Key takeaways: What executives can learn from China

Nine days filled with new experiences, intense discussions, and extraordinary encounters have made five key insights particularly clear:

Speed matters: Chinese companies impress with their quick decision-making, short development cycles, and consistent implementation of new ideas. Speed is becoming a decisive competitive advantage.
Innovation takes courage: If you want to be successful in the long term, you must be willing to challenge established business models, break new ground, and actively drive change.
Think big, scale fast: Whether it’s electric mobility, digital platforms, or robotics – in China, innovation is often conceived on a large scale from the very beginning and scaled up consistently.
Technology and leadership go hand in hand: AI and automation are fundamentally transforming businesses. However, successful transformation requires not only technological investments but also new skills, openness, and a leadership culture that fosters innovation.
A change in perspective creates new opportunities: International experience, cultural understanding, and exposure to different ways of thinking open up new approaches to the challenges within one’s own company.

Thank you for this extraordinary Learning Journey!

Special thanks go to Prof. Dr. Zheng Han and Tongji University for their academic guidance and valuable insights into China’s economic and innovation landscape.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA – in particular to Christian Fuchssteiner, Birgit Murr, and their team – for their excellent collaboration and the valuable networking opportunities.

We would also like to thank all our hosts at AUDI, ENGEL, Inceptio Technology, BGI Genomics, Tencent, BYD, Yantian Port, and UBTECH Robotics for their openness, the exclusive insights, and the engaging discussions.

A very special thank you goes to our participants for their curiosity, their openness, and the in-depth exchanges we shared.

New perspectives on leadership and innovation

The LIMAK Study Trip to China impressively demonstrated how valuable it is to step outside one’s usual perspectives, experience international developments firsthand, and draw concrete insights from them for one’s own leadership practice.

After all, the future cannot be observed solely from a distance. You have to go where it is already being shaped.