Meeting with Mr. Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director of Asia and the Pacific at European External Action Service
2019-11-27 | Beijing, South China
On 27th November, a European Chamber delegation, led by Ms Francine Hadjisotiriou, general manager of the South China Chapter, held a private lunch meeting for Mr Gunnar Wiegand, managing director of Asia and the Pacific for the European External Action Service.
Participants provided specific information to Mr Weigand on topics including IPR protection in the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen and Guangzhou comparisons, social movements in Hong Kong, as well as industry-specific questions like energy demand in the Greater Bay Area and access to high quality medical services. Findings from the Chamber’s Corporate Social Credit System report and South China Position Paper were also discussed.
Mr. Wiegand also talked about points that were of particular interest to the EU Delegation. Many of these points centered around Hong Kong: The impact of the District Council Election results, compatibility of Hong Kong values to the GBA, the influence Hong Kong social movements have on Shenzhen, and Shanghai’s inability to rival Hong Kong as a financial centre. Additionally, China is still a top priority and top challenge for the European Union and its continued opening up must be ensured.