China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been described as everything from the Chinese Marshall Plan to a tool for debt-trap diplomacy. Extensive reporting on the BRI has been done from political, economic, and strategic perspectives, but much less has been written from the business perspective. The European Chamber is publishing a report to fill this critical gap in the discussion and better represent what the BRI means for companies. The report finds that only a small portion of European companies have been able to participate in BRI-related projects, while a slightly broader number have enjoyed positive effects as a result of the BRI such as access to new logistics options and increasing trade flows with recipient countries.
However, the BRI has failed to become the open, transparent and international initiative that it often claims to be as bidding processes are opaque and China’s SOEs take the lead, and the bulk of the value, from BRI-related projects. The report also covers concerns about the BRI as China’s national champions use it as a platform to push China’s standards in critical areas while they also take advantage of state support as they scale-up. This drives the need for alternatives to the BRI to emerge, such as the EU Connectivity Plan, which was announced in September 2018. The BRI needs competition that drives recipient countries to demand better practices from it, and the European Chamber is eager to see Europe step up and provide it.
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China is delighted to invite you to the launch of the BRI Report: The Road Less Travelled.
Agenda
16:00 – 16:30 Registration
16:30 – 16:40 Welcome Remarks by Carl Hayward, General Manager, European Chamber
16:40 – 17:00 Presentation of the BRI Report by Jens Eskelund, Vice President, European Chamber
17:00 – 18:00 Panel Discussion and Q&A
Views expressed by invited speakers do not necessarily reflect the opinions or position of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.
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 you pay in advance by wechat we are typically able to provide you with your fapiao on arrival. For payments made on-site we will dispach the fapiao to your given address within 5-10 days.
Events are held in English and follow the Chatham House rule unless otherwise stated.
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 sluo@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 Luyang Syvänen lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn
