2023 has seen China’s continued regulatory efforts that could impact foreign companies’ investment decisions in the country – for example, the newly introduced Anti-espionage Law and the tighter supervision over data. At the same time, the government has also rolled out a series of measures to optimise the business environment for foreign investors in a bid to demonstrate its support of FDI. The complex context in China has led to lots of discussions on whether China is still an attractive investment destination, especially amid the global supply chain diversification trend post-COVID. How should we identify the real status of FDI in the Chinese market today and tomorrow?

To explore these issues and more, the European Chamber is delighted to invite Dr Agatha Kratz, director at Rhodium Group, and Mr Chris Torrens, partner at Control Risks, to share their analysis of the evolving FDI landscape in China. They will also discuss how multinationals should have the right strategic and tactical approaches in place to manage risks and realise opportunities as Beijing tries to balance the priorities of national security and economic growth.

Agenda

15:00–15:05: Opening Remarks

15:05–15:35: Updates on European and American FDI into China

• Dr Agatha Kratz, Director at Rhodium Group

15:35–16:00: From risk to opportunity: key issues for multinationals to grow within China’s regulatory limits

• Mr. Chris Torrens, Partner, Control Risks

16:00–16:30: Discussion and Q&A

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.

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 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

Ms. Agatha Kratz

Associate Director, Rhodium Group

Ms. Agatha Kratz

Associate Director, Rhodium Group

View speaker details

Agatha Kratz is an Associate Director at Rhodium Group.

Agatha coordinates Rhodium Group’s European activities and leads research on European Union-China relations and China’s commercial diplomacy. She contributes to Rhodium work on China’s global investment, industrial policy and technology aspirations. Agatha is a non-resident Adjunct Fellow of the Reconnecting Asia Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies under the Simon Chair in Political Economy.

She holds a Ph.D. from King’s College London, on China’s railway diplomacy. Her previous positions included Associate Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and Editor-in-Chief of its quarterly journal China Analysis, Assistant Editor for China Economic Quarterly, and Junior Fellow at Asia Centre in Paris. Agatha has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Masters in Finance from SciencesPo Paris, as well as a Masters in Public Administration from the London School of Economics and Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.

Mr. Chris Torrens

Partner, Control Risks

Mr. Chris Torrens

Partner, Control Risks

View speaker details

Chris Torrens is a Partner in Control Risks’ Greater China and North Asia region, based in Beijing. Chris heads up the North China geomarket and oversees the company’s growing Chinese client base, advising both state-owned and private Chinese multinational companies operating globally and visiting regional operations across Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. In these capacities he has consulted with multinational and Chinese corporations across various industries on risk and strategy issues, particularly in relation to geopolitical and regulatory risks.

Chris is a regular media commentator on geopolitical and compliance risk issues, and has been interviewed by the BBC, CGTN, CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg. His articles have appeared in the Economist, People’s Daily, Financial Times and specialist publications. Chris’s book, Doing Business in China, was published by The Economist Group in 2010.

Contact