* All member companies are welcome to join us at the launch webinar free of charge.

* Offline seating is limited to a maximum of 25 and corporate members will be prioritised on a first-come-first-served basis.

* Each embassy and consulate of European member states may receive one complimentary ticket to the Position Paper Launch.

On 20^th September, the European Chamber will publish its European Business in China Position Paper 2023/2024 (Position Paper 2023/2024), the culmination of nine months dedicated work by our 48 working groups, sub-working groups, desks, and fora. This year’s Executive Position Paper focuses on how China’s post-COVID-19 recovery has faltered and what Chinese policymakers can do to address this.

China’s decision to reopen its borders on 8^th January 2023 was a welcome surprise and many believed that a swift economic rebound would follow. The political will in China also seemed to finally match businesses’ expectations for increased opening of the economy. However, as the year has progressed, many areas of China’s economy failed to perform as hoped.

The much-anticipated release of pent-up consumer demand did not take place and serious structural challenges have continued to weigh on growth. At the same time, although official announcements aimed at improving the business environment have been released, so has a slew of national security-focused legislation, which has deepened uncertainty and raised compliance risks. This has sent mixed messages to the business community, leaving many companies questioning what kind of relationship China wants to have with them.

The Position Paper 2023/2024 details the challenges faced by European companies operating in China and provides more than 1,000 constructive recommendations to the Chinese Government on how they can be resolved. It provides a blueprint for attracting and retaining foreign investment in China, while also addressing many of the structural issues that are hindering the country’s economic development. By engaging with European companies to solve the issues outlined in this report, the Chinese Government could begin to restore both business confidence and the allure of the Chinese market.

Join us to hear the key concerns of European businesses operating in China.

Agenda

13:30-14:00 Registration (offline attendees only)

14:00-14:05 Opening remarks

14:05-14:15 Recorded Speech by Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission

14:15-14:35 Presentation on main findings from the Position Paper by Jens Eskelund, President, European Chamber

14:35-15:10 Panel discussion

• Stefan Bernhart, Vice President, European Chamber
• Peter Ling-Vannerus, States' Representative, European Chamber
• Michelle Zhang, Chair, Rail Working Group, European Chamber

hosted by Wendy Wu, Editor, Political Economy, South China Morning Post

15:10-15:40 Q&A

Terms & Conditions

Events and webinars 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. A confirmation email with instructions on how to join the webinar will be sent to registrants who have paid. 

- Non-members will receive an email with the payment code.

- Fapiao will be distributed to participants within 5-10 working days after the webinar. 

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 please contact Luyang Syvänen at 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 cdu@europeanchamber.com.cn, or 2) cancel online if you registered for the event through the website.

Speakers

Mr. Jens Eskelund

President, European Chamber

Mr. Jens Eskelund

President, European Chamber

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Jens Eskelund was born in 1970 in Aarhus, Denmark. He holds an MA in philosophy and has studied at University of Aarhus and University of Texas at Austin. He has also pursued studies in Chinese at Renmin University in Beijing. Coming to Beijing as a student in 1998, Jens Eskelund began his career in China as Commercial Officer at the Danish Embassy to China before taking on a position in marketing for Maersk Line in Beijing in 2000. He has since held positions as General Manager for Public Affairs for Maersk Line in China and later Director of Public Affairs for North Asia before assuming his present role as Chief Representative for Maersk in the Greater China Area and North-East Asia. Primary focus areas comprise engaging government entities, institutions and trade associations on matters of policy, regulatory environment and business development on behalf of the companies within the Maersk Group.
Jens Eskelund is a former Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China as well as the Vice President and Chair of Maritime Working Group of the European Chamber. Jens was elected as the President of European Chamber in May 2023.
Jens Eskelund is married and has two sons.

Mr. Stefan Bernhart

Vice President, European Chamber

Mr. Stefan Bernhart

Vice President, European Chamber

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Stefan Bernhart holds a position as Director at Volkswagen Group China and manages the company’s international stakeholder relations. Prior to joining Volkswagen, he served the Federal Foreign Office as Economic and Industry Counsellor at the German Embassy in Beijing from 2016 to 2020. His previous industry experience includes leadership positions with Mercedes-Benz (previously Daimler AG) at HQ in Stuttgart. Stefan Bernhart holds a M.A. in Intercultural Communication and Economics.

Stefan was elected as the Vice President of the European Chamber in May 2023.

Mr. Peter Ling-Vannerus

States' Representative, European Chamber; Chief Representative, SEB, Beijing

Mr. Peter Ling-Vannerus

States' Representative, European Chamber; Chief Representative, SEB, Beijing

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Peter Ling-Vannerus is responsible for developing and managing the Bank’s Business in Northern China, as well as monitoring the political and economic development of China for SEB. He studied at INSEAD and Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Ms. Michelle Zhang

Chair, Rail Working Group, European Chamber

Ms. Michelle Zhang

Chair, Rail Working Group, European Chamber

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Ms Michelle Zhang has been working for multinational companies and NGOs for years. She closely follows macro government policies especially in rail transportation sector. Prior to her current position in Knorr-Bremse Rail China, she worked for EU-China Trade Project II, Vallourec-Mannesmann, ABB and European Chamber of Commerce separately. She obtained degrees at Beijing Language and Culture University and University of International Business and Economics and studied in Murray State University in the United State as exchange student for two years. Now she is taking part-time MBA courses at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

Ms. Wendy Wu

China Editor, South China Morning Post

Ms. Wendy Wu

China Editor, South China Morning Post

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Wendy Wu is the editor of Political Economy with the South China Morning Post. Her journalism career spans more than a decade. Wendy joined the SCMP in 2015, covering diplomacy and economy. She was news editor of China Desk before leading the macro economy team.

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