Join us for a candid chat between three China-based CEOs across different industries, hosted by Joerg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

2023 brings an air of cautious optimism, given the abandonment of China’s zero-COVID policy and the resumption of cross-border travel between European headquarters.  At the 2023 Two Sessions, China emphasised a consumption-led economic recovery, with decarbonisation efforts taking a backseat. Attracting foreign investment by relaxing market access controls- especially for the service sector- is also at the top of the priority list. However, the conservative GDP growth target set at around 5% signals that the government recognises the mounting headwinds it faces.

Geopolitical factors have always been part of global boardroom discussions. However, we are heading into a new era of geopolitics, where business leaders must be more than mere armchair analysts. With the recent flurry of diplomatic visits from the EU, including EU Commission President von der Leyen, French President Macron, and German Foreign Minister Baerbock, efforts to rebuild economic ties and reengage with China after three years have been intensified.

Given the new catchphrase of ‘derisking not decoupling’, what are the key challenges that keep CEOs awake at night? And what steps do business leaders need to take to ensure their operations remain flexible and resilient?

Registration deadline: 24th April

Payment: online payment

Advisory Council members: two free tickets for each member

Invoice: digital 普票 will be issued to registrants who applied when doing registration, in 10 work days from the event date.

Event Agenda:

17:00 – 17:30 Registration;

17:30 – 18:10 President Joerg Wuttke’s CEO Chats;

Mr Joerg Wuttke, President of the European Chamber,

Mr Antonio López Arce, CEO, Asia Division, Gestamp,

Mr Ludovic Weber, APAC CEO, Saint-Gobain,

18:10 – 18:30 Q&A;

18:30 – 19:00 Networking.  

Terms & Conditions

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

All our events are held in English and follow the Chatham House Rule unless otherwise stated.

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 Ms. Maureen Dai at mtdai@europeanchamber.com.cn

Disclaimer

Please notice that European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (as the host of the event) might take photographs from the event and post these on its public webpage (or social media platforms) in order to create awareness of these events. By attending this event you consent to European Union Chamber of Commerce in China taking and using such photographs as described above. 

If you cannot attend the factory visit for which you have registered, please cancel your registration no later than 1 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. Walk-ins won't be accepted.

Speakers

Mr. Joerg Wuttke

President, European Chamber; Chief Representative China, BASF (China) Co., Ltd.

Mr. Joerg Wuttke

President, European Chamber; Chief Representative China, BASF (China) Co., Ltd.

View speaker details

Mr. Joerg Wuttke
Joerg Wuttke is Chief Representative of BASF China, based in Beijing. Wuttke is President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China – an office he already held from 2007 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2017. Wuttke contributes regularly to the Swiss financial blog https://themarket.ch/. He has lived in Beijing for more than three decades.

Mr. Antonio López Arce

Spanish National Representative, European Chamber; CEO, Asia Division, Gestamp

Mr. Antonio López Arce

Spanish National Representative, European Chamber; CEO, Asia Division, Gestamp

View speaker details

Mr. Antonio López Arce was born in Madrid Spain. He holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Administration from Universidad Europea de Madrid (1996), and a Master's degree in Finance from the University Pontificia Comillas (1999).
In 1996, he began his professional career working in the Controlling department at Gestamp. After working for 3 years at Gonvarri Industrial at the Treasury Department, he took several roles within the Gestamp organization, including M&A analyst, Commercial Coordinator and Internal Audit Director.
In 2009, he moved to Shanghai to lead the financial activities of Gestamp in the Asia region. In 2014, he was promoted to Vice President Finance & IT at Gestamp Asia Division. He became the CEO of Gestamp Asia Division in 2021.
Mr. López was the Vice President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in China during 2016-2018.

Mr. Ludovic Weber

APAC CEO, Saint-Gobain

Mr. Ludovic Weber

APAC CEO, Saint-Gobain

View speaker details

Ludovic is a 42-year-old French citizen, married with 2 kids.
He started his career in the French government, working for the ministry of environment and ministry in charge of finance and industry. After this 5-year experience as a civil servant, he joined Saint-Gobain where he has been working for 11 years, holding several executive roles with increasing responsibilities. Ludovic has been appointed APAC CEO of Saint-Gobain since July 2021, after leading PAM, the group’s global pipe business.
Ludovic holds a Master of Engineering degree from Ecole Polytechnique (France), and a MPA degree from Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris (France). He maintained close connections with China, both professionally and personally, in the past 20 years; he is based in Shanghai with his family since 2016.

Location

Related

Contact