Investment in the fintech sector has remained strong even in the face of turmoil and volatility in global markets and despite macroeconomic concerns. Demand for fintech innovations by financial institutions has continued to grow.

FinTech can bring numerous benefits to both consumers and businesses. . Fintech has grown for several reasons: changes in expectations about financial services and consumer behaviour; a more affordable infrastructure spurred by Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data and cloud computing; digital currencies and mobile technologies and their effect on reducing barriers to entry to the financial services industry. Fintech, thus, has continued to transform the global financial landscape. On the other hand, FinTech innovations can pose risk for consumers and businesses, with the increasing need of protecting the privacy of customers’ information in an online environment.

In this context, China has been at the forefront of the industry’s growth. China is the largest fintech market in the world, in 2018 it accounted for 46% of all fintech investments globally. China had the right conditions to promote this incredible development: traditional banking systems were not well-developed and the regulatory environment was far less constraining towards fintech businesses. These two factors combined boosted the industry in China.

The European Chamber is pleased to invite renown experts of the industry to offer insights, trend analysis and predictions for the evolution of the sector, as well lessons to be learnt from the Chinese model. We welcome Dr. Bonnie Buchanan, Head of Department of Finance and Accounting, Professor of Finance, University of Surrey (United Kingdom), Michael Moon, Managing Director, Payments & Trade Markets, Asia Pacific, SWIFT, Piyush Singh, Managing Director, Head of Financial Services Asia Pacific and Africa, Accenture, and Diego Garcia Fernandez, Head of Business Development Alipay Spain Wallet. and David Wen, Professor at the International Business School at Zhejiang University. Join us Thursday 3rd September, 4:00am-5:15pm (GMT+8) online via Zoom.

• 2020-09-03 | 16:00 - 17:15
• Online - Zoom Online Meeting Platform and in-person from the European Chamber Shanghai Office

It is estimated that buildings accounts for 40 per cent of the overall energy consumption in the world, and that people spend on up to 90 per cent of their time indoors. Yet indoor air is five times more polluted than outdoor air. Living in mould and damp buildings can increase the risk of asthma. Therefore, buildings that benefit both people and planet are essential for the sustainable development. It requires relevant stakeholders to join hands and work out a solution from a long-term perspective.

To achieve green energy transition and meet the objectives set out in the COP21 (Paris), and reiterated in COP25 (Madrid), China must focus on energy intensity reduction and create a market for upgrading existing facilities with new efficient and digital technologies, with an emphasis on clean energy even during the pandemic and corresponding drop in energy demand. To recover from the impact of COVID-19 in a sustainable way, China should accelerate investment in upgrading existing facilities with outdated technologies to reduce energy consumption. China has not yet established a framework to control industries’ and buildings’ energy intensity, instead adopting a passive stance based on the anticipated consequences of shifting from a production-driven to a service-driven economy.

• 2020-09-02 | 14:30 - 15:30
• European Chamber Office Beijing, 4th Floor, Room C405".

It is estimated that buildings accounts for 40 per cent of the overall energy consumption in the world, and that people spend on up to 90 per cent of their time indoors. Yet indoor air is five times more polluted than outdoor air. Living in mould and damp buildings can increase the risk of asthma. Therefore, buildings that benefit both people and planet are essential for the sustainable development. It requires relevant stakeholders to join hands and work out a solution from a long-term perspective.

To achieve green energy transition and meet the objectives set out in the COP21 (Paris), and reiterated in COP25 (Madrid), China must focus on energy intensity reduction and create a market for upgrading existing facilities with new efficient and digital technologies, with an emphasis on clean energy even during the pandemic and corresponding drop in energy demand. To recover from the impact of COVID-19 in a sustainable way, China should accelerate investment in upgrading existing facilities with outdated technologies to reduce energy consumption. China has not yet established a framework to control industries’ and buildings’ energy intensity, instead adopting a passive stance based on the anticipated consequences of shifting from a production-driven to a service-driven economy.

• 2020-09-02 | 14:30 - 15:30
• European Chamber Shanghai Office, Shui On Plaza, Unit 2204

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has launched its COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Facility (CRF) in response to urgent economic, financial and public health pressures and to support a quick recovery of its members after the current crisis. The Facility will offer an initial USD 5 -10 billion of financing to both public and private sector entities facing serious adverse impacts as a result of the pandemic. It is part of the coordinated international response to counter COVID 19 crisis, as per the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit.

• 2020-04-30 | 15:00 - 17:00
• online

Both the air freight and shipping industries are currently running into some turbulence. The air freight industry is being buffeted by the increasing winds of change and the shipping industry has to deal with the surge in rogue waves, both sparked by the outset of the COVID-19 global crisis.
Experts on both the air freight and shipping industries will present the current state of affairs, ways to cope with the situation and the possible future developments.

• 2020-04-30 | 14:00 - 16:00
• Online - Zoom (Link to be sent upon confirmation)

Both the air freight and shipping industries are currently running into some turbulence. The air freight industry is being buffeted by the increasing winds of change and the shipping industry has to deal with the surge in rogue waves, both sparked by the outset of the COVID-19 global crisis.
Experts on both the air freight and shipping industries will present the current state of affairs, ways to cope with the situation and the possible future developments.

• 2020-04-30 | 14:00 - 16:00
• Online - Zoom (Link to be sent upon confirmation)

Both the air freight and shipping industries are currently running into some turbulence. The air freight industry is being buffeted by the increasing winds of change and the shipping industry has to deal with the surge in rogue waves, both sparked by the outset of the COVID-19 global crisis.
Experts on both the air freight and shipping industries will present the current state of affairs, ways to cope with the situation and the possible future developments.

• 2020-04-30 | 14:00 - 16:00
• Online - Zoom (Link to be sent upon confirmation/registration)

It is likely that air cargo development brings dynamics to the severely impacted aviation industry. However, whether the foreign aviation enterprises could catch up the opportunity to reduce the losses and benefit from the new cargo business in the long run? We are pleased to invite the experts and the aviation industry practitioners to share their views and exchange ideas on this new trend of the aviation industry in China. (non-member please send the email to jlliu@europeanchamber.com.cn for your registration)

• 2020-04-29 | 15:00 - 16:30
• Zoom Online Meeting

COVID-19 crisis has hit various industries in China, including cosmetics business. Store closures, difficulties in work resumption, and tight supply are bound to bring short-term sales down, but with strong epidemic prevention, the 'Black Swan' incident is destined to end. However, the wave of internetisation and digitalisation could be the real 'grey rhino', leaving challenges to cosmetics players and encourage them to accelerate business transformation and innovation.

• 2020-04-29 | 14:00 - 15:30
• Zoom Online Meeting Platform, only pre-registered participants

In the past few months, foreign direct investment (FDI) has returned to the forefront of discussions among European policymakers and business circles. The COVID-19 outbreak and its negative impact on the economy have intensified concerns related to potential takeovers of vulnerable European companies in key sectors. European countries like Spain, Germany and Italy are considering changing their FDI screening regimes or have already done so. At the EU level, on 25th March, the European Commission published an updated guidance on the screening of FDI.

• 2020-04-29 | 14:30 - 16:10
• online