BOOK INTRODUCTION

DAS IST CHINA – 300 years of 中國 -trade with the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) 

This book will be published in German language in October of 2026. An English edition is planned at a later stage.

China’s multifaceted path to becoming a global economic power raises a pivotal question today: Who needs whom?

China expert Jürgen Kracht takes his readers on a compelling investigation into the economic relations between China and the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) since the founding of the People’s Republic. A reconstruction of early trade relations dating back to 1718 completes the historical picture.

Through vivid scenes and dialogues with contemporary witnesses, Kracht illustrates how reforms and the “Opening Up” policy created immense market opportunities for companies from the German-speaking world—and how President Xi has initiated a transformative turning point of historic significance. Practical insights and a discussion of existing contradictions also provide direct value for today’s entrepreneurs and managers.

Based in Hong Kong since 1971, Jürgen Kracht brings decades of expertise in China business to this book, offering readers a unique roadmap through a complex global power.

The author

Jürgen Kracht, born and educated in Germany, began his distinguished international career following his studies in Foreign Trade in Bremen. In 1971, he moved to Hong Kong, where he spent a decade working for the long-established trading firm Jebsen & Co. Initially active in sales for BASF, he later demonstrated his strategic foresight by founding the company’s controlling department. He subsequently took on the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at CEP (now Techtronic Industries).

These formative years provided him with an ideal synthesis of experience across import, export, manufacturing, and financial controlling. This occurred during a pivotal era when business in China was defined by the Cultural Revolution and the country’s first cautious steps toward economic opening. During this period, he gained comprehensive expertise in sales, auditing, and financial management, while developing a profound understanding of the cultural and political frameworks governing business in China.

The Founding and Expansion of Fiducia

In 1982, together with his wife Cynthia, he laid the foundation for his own entrepreneurial success by establishing the consulting and outsourcing firm Fiducia Limited. As China continued to open its markets, Fiducia strategically established offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The firm’s core mission remained consistent: to facilitate market entry for European companies and to provide professional support for their growth within the Chinese market.

Expertise and Legacy

For over four decades, Kracht guided entrepreneurs and managers through the various opportunities and challenges of the Chinese economic landscape. His deep expertise established him as a highly sought-after speaker and author, regularly sharing his insights at international conferences and in specialist publications.

In 2023, Fiducia entered a new chapter by merging with Acclime (www.acclime.com).

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