President of German Automotive Industry Association Visits the Museum-Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum

On April 26, Hildegard Mueller, President of the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA), visited the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum while attending the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show. Mueller remarked that although she had visited Shanghai many times, she was unaware that so many European Jews had found refuge and survived in the city during World War II. She praised the museum's rich historical exhibits as highly enlightening and proactively expressed her willingness to help strengthen ties and foster collaboration between the museum and relevant German research institutions.

Mueller mentioned that her visit was inspired by the recommendation of her close friend, Wolfram Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf Group. Diener had visited the museum twice—in March and May 2024—and donated ticket stubs once used by Jewish refugees during their stay in Shanghai.

Mueller, a former member of the German Bundestag and State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery, has served as President of the VDA since February 1, 2020.

(Left) Hildegard Mueller and Museum Director Chen Jian