这个德国人，乐当湘德合作“架桥人”
In the corridor of the China-Germany (Hunan) Intelligent Manufacturing Innovation Center hangs a large decorative painting of Cologne Cathedral. Every time he passes by, Patrick Sourek (Chinese name: Pang Zhe) pauses for a moment. His hometown far away on the banks of the Rhine in the painting and Changsha, nourished by the Xiangjiang River outside the window, gaze at each other from afar—much like the mission he has steadfastly upheld for nearly 30 years: building a "bridge" between the two countries.
在中德（湖南）智能制造创新中心的走廊里，挂着一幅巨大的科隆大教堂装饰画。每当经过此地，Patrick Sourek（中文名：庞哲）都会驻足片刻。画中远在莱茵河畔的故乡，与窗外湘江滋养的长沙遥遥相望，恰如他近30年来始终坚守的使命——在两国间架起一座“桥”。
As a Global Investment Advisor of Hunan Province and Deputy General Manager of Changsha Hengde Zurbrueggen Investment Co., Ltd.... A series of titles on this German executive are the most down-to-earth testimonials of his role as a "bridge-builder" between the two sides. Due to Mr. Patrick's extremely busy schedule, our reporters' interview had to be squeezed into his packed timetable, and it took multiple sessions over more than two months to uncover the stories behind this foreign executive's enthusiastic efforts for Hunan-Germany cooperation.
湖南省全球招商顾问、长沙恒德卓伯根投资有限公司副总经理……这位德籍高管身上的一系列头衔，是他作为两国“搭桥人”最朴实的注脚。由于庞哲先生实在太忙，本报记者的约访不得不在他排得满满当当的时间表里“见缝插针”，在两个多月的时间里分多次才打探到这位洋高管为湘德合作热心奔走背后的故事。
"Changsha is the Right Choice!"
“来长沙，没错的！”
In May 2024, an invitation at the China Central Investment and Trade Expo forged an indissoluble bond between Patrick Sourek and Changsha.
2024年5月，中国中部投资贸易博览会上的一次邀约，让庞哲与长沙结下不解之缘。
Looking back to 2017, Christian Zurbrueggen, President of Zurbrueggen Group, was drawn to Changsha’s vibrant economic vitality and established the group’s China headquarters here.
时间回溯至2017年，卓伯根集团总裁克里斯蒂安·卓伯根看中长沙蓬勃的经济活力，将中国区总部扎根于此。
Having arrived in China as early as 1996, Patrick has accumulated solid cross-border cooperation experience and profound industry resources. As an industry observer deeply engaged in Chinese-foreign business exchanges, he has been closely following the progress of Zurbrueggen Group’s China headquarters project.
1996年便来到中国的庞哲，积累了扎实的跨国合作经验与深厚的行业资源。深耕中外商务交流的他以行业观察者的身份，始终关注着卓伯根中国区总部项目的进展。
During the 2024 China Central Investment and Trade Expo, recommended by Christian Zurbrueggen, Patrick was appointed Global Investment Advisor of Hunan Province. He transformed from an "observer" to a "practitioner," devoting himself to Hunan-Germany cooperation.
2024年中国中部投资贸易博览会期间，经克里斯蒂安·卓伯根推荐，庞哲获聘担任湖南省全球招商顾问，从“关注者”转变为“践行者”，投身湘德合作事业。
Exchanges between Hunan and Germany have always been frequent, with a large number of leading German high-end manufacturing enterprises such as Bosch, Volkswagen, and Siemens investing and operating in Changsha. However, Patrick is well aware that the city’s potential goes far beyond this.
湘德往来密切，有博世、大众、西门子等一大批德国高端制造业“巨无霸”企业在长沙投资兴业。但庞哲深知，这座城市的潜力远不止于此。
"Foreign investment layout in coastal cities has become saturated. Changsha’s solid manufacturing foundation, open attitude, and cost advantages present a rare opportunity for German SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises)," Patrick keenly captured the charm of this land shortly after his arrival in Changsha.
“沿海城市外资布局已趋饱和，长沙的制造业基础、开放姿态与成本优势，对德国中小企业而言是难得的机遇。”初到长沙，庞哲便敏锐捕捉到这片土地的魅力。
He visited Hunan Xiangjiang New Area, engaged with government departments to align policies, and discussed cooperation with local enterprises. The government’s efficiency, pragmatism, and the promising development space strengthened his determination to "root deeply in Changsha."
他走访湖南湘江新区，与政府部门对接政策，和本土企业畅谈合作。政府的高效务实和充满想象力的发展空间坚定了他“深耕长沙”的决心。
In Patrick’s investment promotion blueprint, German SMEs are his key focus. "Changsha boasts a strong manufacturing base, while Germany is home to numerous ‘hidden champion’ enterprises. This industrial complementarity represents enormous cooperation potential."
在庞哲的招商版图中，德国中小企业是他的重点关注对象。“长沙制造业基础雄厚，而德国拥有众多‘隐形冠军’企业，这种产业互补性意味着巨大的合作空间。”
Today, he devotes all his energy to connecting SMEs from Hunan and Germany. "This is an untapped ‘virgin land’ by foreign-funded enterprises. Behind its openness and enthusiasm lies tremendous development potential. Changsha is the right choice!" In his view, his work is not about promotion, but about bringing the real Changsha and high-quality opportunities to his German partners.
如今，他将全部精力投入到湘德中小企业的对接中。“这是一片尚未被外资企业深度探索的‘处女地’，开放、热情的特质背后是巨大的发展潜力。来长沙，没错的！”在他看来，自己的工作不是推销，而是把真实的长沙、优质的机遇带到德国伙伴面前。
There Are More "Potential Stocks" in Hunan-Germany Cooperation
湘德合作还有很多“潜力股”
On weekday mornings, Patrick compiles the latest Hunan economic updates, industry development trends, relevant legal policies, and information on various economic and trade events into German materials, which he publishes on major German industry websites. From afternoon to evening, he sits in front of the computer and leverages the time difference to communicate online with executives of interested German enterprises, introducing Changsha’s investment environment and industrial advantages, while analyzing the feasibility of their investing and establishing factories in Hunan and offering professional suggestions.
工作日上午，庞哲会将最新的湖南经济动态、行业发展趋势、相关法律政策及各类经贸活动信息整理成德语资料，发布至德国相关行业网站；下午到晚上，他又会坐在电脑前，利用时差与有意向的德国企业负责人线上沟通，介绍长沙的投资环境、产业优势，分析其在湖南投资建厂的可行性并给出建议。
The establishment of the Chinese headquarters of Germany’s Zurpal System Windows & Doors Co., Ltd. in Changsha is a remarkable achievement of Patrick’s precise "bridge-building." Boasting a profound manufacturing tradition, this enterprise had long sought to explore the Chinese market. Two years ago, Patrick’s team began assisting with its site selection, providing end-to-end support—from policy research and negotiation coordination to feasibility analysis for settling in Changsha and tax clarification.
德国Zurpal系统门窗公司中国总部落地长沙，是庞哲精准“搭桥”的成果。这家有着深厚制造传统的企业，为开拓中国市场寻觅已久。两年前，庞哲团队开始为其选址，从政策查询、洽谈对接，到落户长沙可行性分析、税务厘清等各类事宜，他全程护航。
In April 2025, the company officially settled in and launched operations at the Zurbrueggen Base of the German SMEs Headquarters Agglomeration Zone (Hunan), becoming a model for Hunan-Germany intelligent manufacturing cooperation.
2025年4月，该公司正式入驻德国中小企业总部集聚区（湖南）卓伯根基地并启动运营，成为湘德智能制造合作典范。
Over the past year and more, Patrick has published more than 50 pieces of Hunan-related content on German industry websites, successfully attracting 3 German enterprises to set up operations in Changsha and facilitating cooperative relationships between 14 German companies and Hunan counterparts.
一年多时间，庞哲在德国行业网站发布湖南资讯50余条，成功吸引3家德企落户长沙，推动14家德国企业与湖南建立合作关系。
In his view, there are still many "potential stocks" in Hunan-Germany cooperation. "Changsha’s engineering machinery and cultural and creative industries, along with Germany’s automotive manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing technologies, are their respective areas of strength. As long as we identify the right convergence points, more exciting synergies are sure to emerge."
在他看来，湘德合作还有很多“潜力股”，“长沙的工程机械、文化创意产业，德国的汽车制造、智能制造技术，都是各自的优势领域，只要找准结合点，一定能碰撞出更多火花。”
Sincere mutual understanding adds warmth to cooperation. On one occasion, Patrick helped release a German company’s product R&D needs, and in just one day, he received positive responses from over 20 Chinese enterprises. The efficient execution left the German partners astounded.
以心换心的真诚，让合作更有温度。一次，庞哲代为发布一家德国公司的产品研发需求，短短一天时间便收到20多家中方企业的积极回应，高效的执行力让德方伙伴惊叹不已。
In April and June 2025, two batches of German delegations visited Changsha consecutively. After personally experiencing the investment environment here, all of them expressed eagerness to visit again. "What surprises German partners most is the Chinese sense of execution—once an idea is proposed, it can be implemented quickly," Patrick noted.
2025年4月、6月，两批德国代表团先后到访长沙，亲身感受这里的投资环境后，纷纷盼着再度来访。“最让德国伙伴惊叹的是中国人的执行力，只要有想法，很快就能落地。”庞哲说。
Two "Small Goals" for the Future
未来有两个“小目标”
Having been deeply rooted in China for nearly 30 years, Patrick jokes that he has stayed in China thanks to his "footwork"—his relentless efforts and dedication.
深耕中国近30年，庞哲笑称自己是凭“脚力”留在中国。
Beyond acting as a bridge between Hunan and German enterprises, he is also committed to building a bridge for cultural exchange.
除了充当湘德企业间的桥梁，他也致力于搭建文化交流桥梁。
Currently, the "Hunan Football League" (Xiangchao) is in full swing. Every match day, the "second venue" at Changsha Zurbrueggen Beer Plaza is always bustling with excitement. When a goal is scored, Patrick can’t help but raise his beer glass to celebrate with fellow Changsha fans beside him. In the heat of the moment, he even teaches Changsha fans how to savor German beer, sharing fascinating stories about the bond between the Munich Oktoberfest and football.
当下，“湘超”如火如荼。每有比赛，长沙卓伯根啤酒广场的“湘超第二现场”总是热闹非凡。进球时，庞哲总忍不住手持啤酒与身旁的长沙球迷举杯庆祝。兴起时，他还会教长沙球迷品鉴德国啤酒，细说慕尼黑啤酒节与足球的渊源。
When returning to Germany to visit relatives and friends, Patrick brings Hunan tea and chili sauce, telling his loved ones about the vibrant daily life along the Xiangjiang River and sharing China’s development and changes. "Both places are my home. I want German friends to understand Hunan and let more Hunan specialties win hearts in Europe," he says. In his view, mutual understanding is the key to win-win cooperation.
回德国拜访亲友，庞哲会带上湖南的茶叶和辣椒酱，给好友讲述湘江边的烟火气，分享中国的发展变迁。“两边都是我的家，我想让德国朋友了解湖南，让更多湖南特色‘圈粉’欧洲。”在他看来，双向的“懂”，才是共赢的关键。
Talking about the future, Patrick has two "small goals": first, to encourage more German SMEs to take root in Changsha, fostering more synergies between "hidden champions" and local enterprises; second, to promote the China-Germany (Hunan) Intelligent Manufacturing Innovation Center to establish a startup incubation platform. "Changsha is home to numerous universities and abundant talent resources. I hope to enable young people from China and Germany to share ideas and grow together," he explains.
谈及未来，庞哲有两个“小目标”：一是推动更多德国中小企业来长沙扎根，让“隐形冠军”与本土企业碰撞出更多火花；二是推动中德（湖南）智能制造创新中心搭建创业孵化平台。“长沙高校众多，人才资源丰富，我希望能让中德年轻人分享创意、共同成长。”
Today, Patrick’s journey as a "bridge-builder" continues. With nearly 30 years of first-hand experience in China, he has proven that true cooperation begins with sincerity, thrives on perseverance, and culminates in win-win outcomes.
如今，庞哲的“搭桥”之路还在继续。他用自己近30年的亲身经历证明：真正的合作，始于真诚，成于坚守，终于共赢。
