MUNICH, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) — Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer stressed on Monday during the first China Day the importance of China for the southern German state of Bavaria and expresses intents to expand its cooperation with China.

“The economic relations with China mean the future of Bavaria,” Seehofer said in southern German city of Ingolstadt.

According to him, China has become the second largest trading partner of Bavaria after the U.S. and that Bavarian middle class will benefit from the flourishing economic relations between Bavaria and China.

In addition, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler also expressed his optimism about the Chinese market. He announced further investments in China and praised the growth potential of the car market in China.

The China Day is part of so-called China strategy of Ingolstadt, hometown of German automaker Audi. The event, planned to be held yearly in the future, is expected to play a role as a communication platform for companies, which have interest in the Chinese market.