HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, March 4 (Xinhua) -- German sportswear giant adidas reported record annual revenue for 2025 on Wednesday, as double-digit growth in China helped drive a sharp rise in profit gains.

Operating profit surged by more than half to 2.06 billion euros (2.4 billion U.S. dollars) for 2025, the company's annual financial results showed. On a currency-neutral basis, sales for the adidas brand rose 13 percent year-on-year to approximately 24.8 billion euros (28.85 billion dollars).

The Greater China region continued to outperform the group's other major markets, the report showed. Sales in the region increased 13 percent to 3.62 billion euros (4.21 billion dollars), marking the fastest growth ahead of Europe and North America.

Despite dynamic competition from domestic sportswear brands, adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden said at a media briefing that he continues to see strong opportunities in the Chinese market, citing its supply-chain strengths, research and development advantages, and rising sports participation in the country.

"We have a profitable growth in China," Gulden said, adding that the company maintained a "very positive" outlook for its long-term prospects there.

Before the release of the company's 2025 results, Gulden joined a delegation of around 30 German business leaders who accompanied German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his official visit to China last week.

Reflecting on the trip, Gulden said he was impressed by the country's innovation and market vitality, describing the atmosphere of meetings with Chinese government officials and industry leaders as open and constructive.

"I again had the feeling that both the German side and the Chinese side want to work together," Gulden said, noting that such cooperation is necessary. ■