For Stefan Hoops, CEO of DWS — Deutsche Bank's asset management arm — China's consumer brands are close to home. A father of three daughters, Hoops said Shein is a household name in his family, while his children are also avid fans of Labubu.

During a recent business trip to China, he even looked for "Crybaby" collectibles — the latest toy craze — to take back to Germany so his daughters could impress their friends.

Hoops also pointed to the growing competitiveness of Chinese carmakers and the prevalence of tech gadgets like cameras and drones in cities like Beijing. While China was once primarily known for manufacturing and exports, he said the past decade has seen a surge in innovation and new technologies, making each visit both inspiring and full of surprises.