On 13^th July 2023, Germany released its very first comprehensive strategy on China, which signals a concerted effort with the European Union (EU) outlook to view China as “a partner, competitor, and systemic rival”, with the focus being increasingly put on the latter two aspects. The strategy highlights the changing dynamics in China that require Germany to shift its approaches, de-risk its economy, and cut reliance on China in critical sectors while pursuing diversification in its supply chains.

The strategy calls on German companies to take geopolitical risks sufficiently into account. It reiterates that the general ceiling of investment guarantees of EUR 3 billion per company per country also applies to China, and will be subject to rigorous scrutiny. Special measures such as state export credit guarantees and export controls are also put forward to avoid unwanted technology transfers and thus protect German exporters, especially in terms of sensitive dual-use or security-related technologies. The strategy also underlines the importance Germany places on diversifying its economic ties, and actively expanding business relations around the world with actors that share its values and interests.

Meanwhile, the strategy emphasises that Germany is not seeking to decouple from the Chinese economy, in line with the EU approach. As the European Council expressed in its press release on 30^th June; “The European Union and China continue to be important trade and economic partners. The European Union will seek to ensure a level playing field, so that the trade and economic relationship is balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial."

Given China's status as one of Germany's primary trading partners, implementation of this strategy will require the German business community to adapt swiftly. Amidst this dynamic landscape, German enterprises will encounter formidable challenges necessitating strategic recalibration and, concurrently, a pursuit of novel opportunities and diversified growth in their engagement with the Chinese market.

Join the hybrid event on Germany’s updated China strategy and learn more about how the German business community in China should react to cope with potential challenges.

Agenda

14:30 – 15:00 Registration

15:00 – 15:05 Welcome remarks

• Stefan Bernhart, Vice President, European Chamber

15:05 – 15:30 Keynote Speech

• Dr. Mikko Huotari, Executive Director, MERICS 

15:30 – 15:55 Who's Strategy and Strategy for What

• Dr. CUI Hongjian, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Department of European Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS)

15:55 – 16:30 Panel Discussion and Q&A

• Dr. Mikko Huotari, Executive Director, MERICS 
• Dr. CUI Hongjian, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Department of European Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS)
• Dr. Janka Oertel, director of the Asia programme and senior policy fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations

Hosted by Stefan Bernhart, Vice President, European Chamber

Terms & Conditions

Events have limited seating so to ensure your attendance we encourage advance online registration and payment. We cannot guarantee entry to anyone not registered in advance.

Payment can be made by cash, (domestic) credit/debit card or WeChat. If pay in advance via WeChat we are typically able to provide Fapiao upon your arrival. For payments made on-site we will dispatch the Fapiao to the given address within 5-10 days.

Advisory Council Policy

Members of the Advisory Council may receive complimentary admission to Chamber seminars, conferences and factory visits up to two attendees per event. Additional participants will be charged at the member rate.

Advisory Council members will still be charged the standard member rate for participation in training courses and special events, such as gala balls, government appreciation dinners, or admission to corporate social events/tournaments.

For further information contact Luyang Syvänen lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn 

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend the event for which you have registered, please cancel your registration no later than one business day prior to the event. If you fail to notify us of your cancellation in a timely fashion, you will be charged for event costs.

To cancel you can: 1) email Chloe Du cdu@europeanchamber.com.cn, or 2) cancel online if you registered for the event through the website.

Speakers

Dr. Mikko Huotari

Executive Director, MERICS

Dr. Mikko Huotari

Executive Director, MERICS

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Mikko Huotari is the Executive Director of MERICS. His research focuses on China’s foreign policy, China-Europe relations and global (economic) governance and competition. He has published on China’s rise as a financial power, trade and investment relations with Europe as well as on geopolitical shifts related to China's emergence as a global security actor.

Huotari studied in Freiburg, Nanjing and Shanghai. He holds a PhD from Freiburg University and was a guest scholar at the University of California in San Diego in 2017/2018. In 2019, Huotari was appointed as one of 15 German representatives to the German-Chinese Dialogue Forum.

Dr. Hongjian Cui

Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Department of European Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS)

Dr. Hongjian Cui

Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Department of European Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS)

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Dr. CUI Hongjian received his Ph.D. degree in International Relations from Peking University and associated with China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) since 1998. Dr. Cui served as a senior diplomat in Chinese Missions abroad from 2003 to 2007. Cui is a senior research fellow and director of the European Studies in CIIS, member of the China Economic and Social Council, vice president of Council in the China Association of European Studies and the executive director of European Studies Center in the China Fund of International Studies. Cui has been working on international politics and China’s foreign policy, European economy, politics, security and China-Europe relations, NATO and regional security, published plenty of articles, policy reports and comments.

Dr. Janka Oertel

Director, Asia Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations

Dr. Janka Oertel

Director, Asia Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations

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Dr Janka Oertel is the Director of the Asia Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. She previously worked as a Senior Fellow in the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Berlin office, where she focused on transatlantic China policy including on emerging technologies, Chinese foreign policy and security in East Asia. Prior to joining GMF, she served as a program director at Körber Foundation’s Berlin office.

She holds a PhD from the University of Jena. Her dissertation focused on Chinese policies within the United Nations. She was a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP Berlin) and worked at United Nations Headquarters, New York, as a Carlo-Schmid-Fellow. She has published widely on topics related to EU-China relations, US-China relations, security in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese foreign policy, 5G and emerging technologies as well as climate cooperation.

Mr. Stefan Bernhart

Vice President, European Chamber

Mr. Stefan Bernhart

Vice President, European Chamber

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Stefan Bernhart holds a position as Director at Volkswagen Group China and manages the company’s international stakeholder relations. Prior to joining Volkswagen, he served the Federal Foreign Office as Economic and Industry Counsellor at the German Embassy in Beijing from 2016 to 2020. His previous industry experience includes leadership positions with Mercedes-Benz (previously Daimler AG) at HQ in Stuttgart. Stefan Bernhart holds a M.A. in Intercultural Communication and Economics.

Stefan was elected as the Vice President of the European Chamber in May 2023.

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