A1 Opening-up is a key driver of China's rapid and steady economic growth and brings win-win results for both domestic industries and international players. Joining China's opening-up, Evonik is able to serve local customers with tailored solutions and becomes more competitive in the global market. Bringing our global expertise and experience to China, we also support the transformation of China's chemicals industry.

The new development blueprint heralds opening-up at a higher level, calling for more comprehensive and pragmatic efforts. We look forward to initiatives that further widen market access, simplify approval processes, strengthen protection of intellectual property rights and promote closer international cooperation.

A2 Innovation and green transformation are at the heart of China's high-quality development. They also give new impetus to global economic growth and closer international cooperation in the post-pandemic era, and thus unleash market demand for related products and boost industrial upgrade. We have been strengthening our product offerings and reducing time-to-market, and will enhance our R&D capabilities with specific technologies to support strategic emerging industries including electric vehicles, 5G, renewable energy and healthcare.

A3 Evonik regards China as a driving force of global economy. China's economy has shown strong resilience during the pandemic, while infrastructure investment projects and consumer stimulus packages during the 14th Five-Year Plan period have been a significant boost to the economy.

Evonik believes China's economy will maintain good momentum. We are ready to contribute more and will strive for another fruitful year in 2022.

A4 At Evonik, we believe openness and partnership will lead to growth and shared prosperity, and an integrated innovation model plays a crucial role all this.

Evonik has been advocating close collaborations along the value chain to create synergy for industries. We have established extensive partnerships with industries and academia so as to develop solutions at a faster pace. We will strengthen and expand networks to facilitate joint innovation.

A5 China is the biggest and fastest growing market for specialty chemicals in the world. Evonik wants to grow with China, and we are increasing our footprint.

Last year, a new silica plant by Evonik and its Chinese partner Wynca went onstream in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. The plant serves as a strong complement to our global supply chain and fulfills growing demand in China. We also upgraded the R&D center in Shanghai into Evonik Shanghai Innovation Park. Expansion of R&D facilities is now in full swing, and we expect to double the R&D head count of the park by 2027.