For a long time, the field of technical standardisation was confined to a reduced circle of experts and received little widespread coverage. However, with the increasing polarisation of the world, the strategic dimension of standards-setting has acquired new relevance. Issues like the US and China’s technological race and the threat of decoupling, as well as the inclusion of standardisation in Chinese initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, have brought this previously niche field to the forefront of the global political arena.
How is China’s standardisation system being shaped to address this new strategic dimension? What are the new engagement/competition/confrontation dynamics between the EU, US and China in standardisation, a field that has traditionally relied on a collaborative approach between different actors? How are the changes within China’s standardisation system being perceived by not only the European, but also the American business community? How can Europe, traditionally a normative power, respond to these new global dynamics in the field of standards-setting?
The Standards and Conformity Assessment Working Group, in cooperation with the US-China Business Council (USCBC), is pleased to invite you to our next Working Group meeting, where two experts will discuss both the geopolitical aspects of Chinese standardisation and the perspective and experiences of US businesses when it comes to China’s standardisation system. Dr Tim Rühlig, Research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, will provide the European perspective on the geopolitical impacts of the transformation of China’s standardisation system and of the politisation of technical standardisation in the international arena. Mr Chris Miller, Business Advisory Services Manager at USCBC, will discuss China’s standardisation system and its dynamics from the perspective of the US business community.
The meeting will take place on Friday, 12th June, from 14:30 to 16:00 via Zoom. Please note that attendees based in Shanghai can join in person at our offices there. However seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If you would like to join this meeting online, please feel free to reach out to Ms Yiran Chen at intern008@europeanchamber.com.cn. If you would like to join in person in Shanghai, please feel free to contact Ms Xinyi Xie at xyxie@europeanchamber.com.cn. Please confirm your attendance before Thursday, 11th June COB.
Agenda:
14:30-14:35
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Opening Remarks by SCA WG Chair Ms June Zhang
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14:35-15:00
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Presentation by Dr Tim Rühlig
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15:00-15:25
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Presentation by Mr Chris Miller
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15:25-16:00
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Discussion and Q&A
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