In the last two years we have seen more reform take place in China than in any similar period since the country’s accession to the WTO. Yet, for the European Chamber, despite some tangible improvements alongside extensive pronouncements from the highest levels of government, China’s opening up has failed to keep pace with its rapid development and increasingly vibrant economy. As the US China trade dispute seems set to move towards strategic contest, how might deepening reform serve as a catalyst to improve relations between China, the United States' and Europe?
The European Chamber is delighted to welcome keynote speakers, Ambassador Nicolas Chapuis and former Vice Minister of Commerce, Wei Jianguo, to lead a distinguished group of panelists, including Peking University's Zhang Weiying and the Word Bank's Bert Hofman, to debate the macro issues effecting European business operating in China.
Full Agenda
08:00 - 08:30 Registration
08:30 - 08:40 President's Opening, Mats Harborn, President, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
08:40 - 09:00 Ambassador's Address, HE Nicolas Chapuis, Ambassador, European Union Delegation to the PRC
09:00 - 09:30 Keynote Speech, Wei Jianguo, former Vice Minister of Commerce & Vice Chairman, China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE)
Speech will be delivered in Chinese with simultaneous translation services
09:30 - 10:25 Headwinds or Tailwinds? Deepening Reform in the Trade War Era
How much of the reform that has taken place over the last 18 months can be classed as meaningful reform? How are global trade (and strategic) tensions impacting China's ongoing reform process? What is the latest post-Buenos Aries in the US China trade war? To what extent do bilateral tensions run deeper than President Trump and his tariff war?
- David Rennie, Beijing Bureau Chief, the Economist
- Wang Huiyao, President, Center for China and Globalisation
- Xie Yanmei, China Policy Analyst, Gavekal Dragonomics
- William Zarit, Senior Counselor, the Cohen Group
- Michael J Jordan, CGTN Commentator & Global Communications Specialist (moderator)
10:25 - 10:55 Networking Break
10:55 - 11:50 China's Innovation Drive: Top-Down and Bottom-Up
How can those working in China communicate to headquarters the complexities and challenges of operating in an economy where innovation is driven both by industrial policy, with a visible government hand, and concurrently by some of the world’s most dynamic private sector companies? What does the future hold as these private companies look to expand their global footprint?
- Scott Kennedy, Deputy Director of the Freeman Chair in China Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Winston Ma, CEO, China Silkroad Investment & Development
- Wang Su, Corporate Vice President, JD.COM
- Mats Harborn, President, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (moderator)
This session will open with a short presentation by Mr Kennedy, before a panel discussion with all of the above
11:50 - 12:45 Economic Outlook and the Impact for Business
The panel will look at the outlook for China’s economy in 2019 and the expected policy priorities of the Chinese government to confront potential headwinds from the ongoing US China trade dispute and slowing domestic growth. How effective has the deleveraging campaign been in reducing systemic risk, has the governments commitment to this policy waned in the face of economic challenges?
- Bert Hofman, Country Director, World Bank Group
- Andrew Polk, Co-founder, Trivium/China
- Xu Sitao, Chief China Economist, Deloitte
- Zhang Weiying, Boya Chair Professor of Economics, National School of Development, Peking University
- Tom Rafferty, China Principle Economist, The EIU (moderator)
Terms & Conditions
Events have very limited seating so to ensure your attendance we encourage advance online registration and payment. We cannot guarantee entry to anyone not registered in advance.
Events are held in English and follow the Chatham House rule unless otherwise stated. For this event the keynote speech will be delivered in Chinese with simultaneous translation services provided. The rest of the event will be conducted in English.
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 ldu@europeanchamber.com.cn, or 2) cancel online if you registered for the event through the website.
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 Graeme Wallace gwallace@europeanchamber.com.cn