[Members Only] European Chamber Annual General Meeting 2025 Go back »
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Time2025-05-29 | 14:30 - 18:00
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Venue:The Four Seasons Hotel, 3rd Floor, Beijing Ballroom
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Address:No. 48 Liang Ma Qiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100125
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Fee:Members: Free* (please read notice below)
Please note that this is a member-only event.
The designated representative from the primary legal entity registered with the European Chamber with voting rights (or the assigned proxy) are given priority on a first-come, first-served basis to register to attend the AGM in person, with one (1) representative per company.
To register, please contact Mr Luyang Syvänen at lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn before 18:00 on Tuesday 27th May 2025. Kindly note that you must have registered for the AGM, and received confirmation by email, to participate.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China will take place on Thursday 29th May 2025 in Beijing at the Four Seasons Hotel. The AGM will be available for members to join both in person and online.
At this year’s AGM, elections will be held for the president (1 position), vice presidents (3 positions), and treasurer (1 position).
Due to seating limitations, for those who wish to join in person, the designated representative from the primary legal entity registered with the European Chamber with voting rights (or the assigned proxy) are given priority on a first-come, first-served basis to attend the AGM in person, with one (1) representative per company. Additional tickets may be available at a later date at an extra cost. Please kindly indicate whether you will attend in person or online when registering.
The AGM agenda will be available soon.
Who can attend the AGM and election meeting?
All members (including those who do not meet the requirements for voting and standing for election) have the right to participate, with the designated representative from the primary legal entity registered with the European Chamber given priority on a first-come-first-served basis to attend the AGM in person, with one (1) representative per company. However, only members who meet the criteria below can vote or run for election.
Kindly note that you will need to register, and have your registration confirmed by email, before 18:00 on Tuesday 27th May 2025 in order to participate.
Who can run for election at the AGM?
- President (1 position) – A representative of a corporate member of the European Union.
- Vice President (3 positions) – Any representative of a corporate member.
- Treasurer (1 position) – Any representative of a corporate member.
The elected president, vice presidents and treasurer shall serve for a two-year term at the Executive Committee of the European Chamber (2025-2027).
How can I run for elections?
The nomination period will open at 18:00 on Wednesday 9th April 2025 and will close at 18:00 on Friday, 9th May 2025.
Please click here to download the Notice of Election from Ms. Marjut Hannonen, Minister Counsellor and Head of the Trade Section at the Delegation of the European Union to China, which officially opens the election period.
If you would like to run for election you will need to:
- Be nominated by two designated representatives of other member companies eligible to vote (please refer to the “Who can vote in the election?” section below)
- Fill in and sign the nomination form. The nomination form must also be signed by both the proposer and seconder, who must be members of the sectoral working groups and in good standing as members of the European Chamber.
- Send the scanned and completed nomination form by e-mail to Luyang Syvänen at lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn, or submit in person at the Chamber office in Beijing (Office C412, Beijing Yansha Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100125, P.R. China).
- Provide a motivation letter and video (optional and max. 5 min) by e-mail to Luyang Syvänen at lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn, or submit in person at the Chamber office in Beijing (C412, Beijing Yansha Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100125, P.R. China).
Who can vote in the election?
You can vote in the election if you:
1a) Are the designated representative (the main contact from the primary legal entity registered with the European Chamber); or
1b) Are an individual member; and
- Have paid the membership fees in respect of the year 2025, as well as any outstanding obligations for the previous year (if the Chamber has notified you that your membership payment and/or any other outstanding payment has not been received or confirmed, please make sure the payment is made, or provide a signed and stamped agreement to confirm the payment, no later than 18:00 on Tuesday 27th May 2025, Beijing time)
Eligible members with voting rights may only cast one vote per company. Please contact Luyang Syvänen at lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn to confirm your eligibility.
How can I vote at the election?
Updates to the Articles of Association, approved during the AGM in 2016, have made voting more convenient by introducing the option of e-voting. There are three ways to vote:
- In person by secret ballot at the election venue on Thursday 29th May 2025. Please note that even if you have voting rights confirmed by the Secretariat of the Chamber, you must have registered for the AGM in Beijing by 18:00 on Tuesday 27th May 2025 in order to exercise this vote.
- Electronic voting by accessing a designated link using your European Chamber user account email. Please note that the voting information will be sent to the designated representative of your company (from the primary legal entity registered with the Chamber) once the candidates have been confirmed. E-voting will open following the announcement of the candidates. If you vote in advance by electronic voting you will not receive a ballot should you also attend the AGM in person.
- Assign a proxy to vote on your behalf by 18:00 on Tuesday 27th May 2025. Please fill in the proxy form and send a scanned copy by e-mail to Luyang Syvänen at lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn, or deliver it in person at the Chamber office in Beijing (Office C412, Beijing Yansha Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100125, P.R. China).
Proxies received after the deadline or in a format different from those listed above won’t be accepted.
The proxy must be a colleague from your own legal entity, and he/she must be present in person to vote. The requirement has only two exceptions:
- An individual member, who may give his/her proxy to another individual member / corporate member with voting rights.
- The main contact from a primary legal entity located in a chapter other than Beijing, without an additional membership in Beijing chapter. In such cases, another designated representative of a corporate member with voting rights may serve as the proxy.
For more information, please refer to the Articles of Association and By-Laws of the European Chamber, or contact Mr Luyang Syvänen about your eligibility to participate, vote and/or run at the elections at lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn.
Effective from 1st February 2025 through to 1st July 2025, the National and Local Election Commissions, appointed by the Executive Committee (ExCo) of the European Chamber in line with Article 1.1.2 of the By-laws, will formally assume their duties to support this year’s elections.
The Election Commissions at both national and liaison office levels have been created with the mission to: 1) promote a strong and diversified European Union business identity at the Board level (ExCo and liaison office boards); 2) improve consistency, transparency and efficiency of the Chamber’s ExCo and liaison office boards election processes; and 3) reinforce the competencies of Boards (ExCo and liaison office boards) aligned with the Chamber’s original core mission.
Please click here to find the full list of individuals appointed by the ExCo to the Chamber’s Election Commissions.
Terms & Conditions
This is a members-only event with limited on-site seating. We cannot guarantee entry to those that have not registered before the deadline.
The event is 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 by email to lsyvanen@europeanchamber.com.cn 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, if any.
Disclaimer
Please note that the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China might take photographs from the event and post these on its public web-page (or social media platforms) in order to create awareness of these events. By attending this event you consent to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China for taking, and using, such photographs as described above.
Speakers
Mr. Jorge Toledo Albiñana
After taking his Degree in Law and entering the Diplomatic School in Spain, Ambassador Toledo joined the Spanish Foreign Service in 1989. Since then, except for three years in Senegal, where he was Ambassador of Spain from 2008 to 2011, his career has been devoted mostly to European Union Affairs. Among others, he was Spanish Secretary of State for the EU and European Affairs. In Asia, he has been posted to India and Japan before arriving to China in September 2022 as the Ambassador of the European Union.
Ambassador Toledo strongly believes in the European integration and that only together can EU Member States have a meaningful relation and dialogue with a strong world power as China.
Mr. Jens Eskelund
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.
Ms. Marjut Hannonen
Marjut Hannonen is the Head of the Trade section of the EU Delegation in Beijing. Before taking up this post she was heading the Trade Section in the EU Delegation in Tokyo, where she ensured the smooth entering into force and implementation of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. Before coming to Tokyo she the Chief Implementing Officer in the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission focussing on setting up a strategy for and annual reporting of implementation of EU's free trade agreements, and Adviser on Asia and Latin America.
In 2010-2014 she was the Member of the Cabinet of the EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht responsible for EU trade relations with Asian countries, as well as for several sectoral trade issues including Market Access Strategy and relations with the Member States. She has worked in various areas of EU trade policy, including multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations and trade defence instruments.
Dr. Andreas Risch
As an Engineer, graduated in Material Science & Technology and in Mechanical Engineering / Production Technology (RWTH Aachen), my professional path began in R&D and Production Technologies. During the past 21 years I worked for BORSIG, GEA and TURCK before joining Fette Compacting in Nanjing.
Since 2000 I have been holding General and Senior Management (International Group level) positions with main responsibilities for Sales, Production, Engineering and R&D in the machinery / equipment business for various industries. In my responsibilities, it has been always my duty to drive businesses and operations; including strategic business and organizational development, change management, administration and personnel management on international level. My “China experience” started with improving and extending the operations of a JV (joint venture) back in 2004/05. Since January 2010, I am living and working in China as MD for WFOEs in Shanghai, Tianjin and now Nanjing. I am married and have two grown-up daughters.
Mr. Carlo Diego D’Andrea
Founder and Managing Partner of D’Andrea & Partners Legal Counsel, and Founder of DP Group.
Graduated in Law at the University of Teramo (Italy), he then subsequently obtained a Masters’ degree in Corporate Advisor at LUISS University in Rome and a Diploma in Chinese Studies at Nanjing Normal University and is a member of the Italian Bar Association.
Mr. D’Andrea arrived in China in 2005 and is fluent in Italian (mother tongue), English, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. He mainly deals with cross-border mergers and acquisitions, assistance in ODI/FDI and intellectual property rights.
He is also acting as Vice President of the European Chamber and Chair of the Shanghai Chapter.
Mr. Erich Kaiserseder
Born in 1962, Mr. Erich Kaiserseder is an Austrian national with over 30 years hotel experience, across countries and areas such as Europe, Mainland China, U.S., UAE, Singapore, Indonesia, Middle East, Hong Kong, Taiwan etc. Travelling around the world, Erich held leading roles with international hotel brands such as Ritz-Carlton and Shangri-La. Prior to joining Conrad Shenyang; Erich opened the Langham Haikou Hotel on the Island of Hainan in the role of General Manager at The Langham Haikou.
Erich is the General Manager of Conrad Shenyang and Chair of the European Chamber of Commerce, Shenyang Chapter and the head of a focus group to improve attractiveness and tourism of Shenyang.
Mr. Klaus Zenkel
Born in Germany, Mr. Klaus Zenkel holds a degree in Industrial Engineering. From 1993 to 2006, he held executive management positions within the Siemens Group across multiple locations, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Germany, as well as serving as Technical Director at Siemens SSMR in Shenzhen.
Since 2016, Mr. Zenkel has been actively involved with the European Chamber South China Board. As Vice President of the European Chamber and Chairman of the South China Board, he has played a vital role in supporting member companies and fostering constructive dialogue with government officials.
Imedco, one of the many member companies of the European Chamber South China Chapter, specializes in providing MRI shielding solutions for hospitals and research institutions. Founded in 1987 in Zurich, Switzerland, the company expanded its operations into China in 2006 when Mr. Zenkel established its Shenzhen subsidiary. In Europe, Imedco has also subsidiaries in Germany and United Kingdom.
In March 2021, Mr. Zenkel was elected as a Director of the Board at the Swiss Chamber in South China. Since March 2025, he has served as Vice President of SwissCham.
A well-established figure in South China’s business community, Mr. Zenkel maintains strong connections with national chambers and has cultivated extensive relationships with government officials across China.
Mr. Massimo Bagnasco
Mr. Bagnasco has been actively involved in the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC) since his arrival in China. Since 2008, he has alternatively covered positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman of Construction Working Group. He has been also focusing on EU SME sector. In 2013, he was elected as Italian State Representative in the Supervisory Board of the EUCCC. Since 2014 till now, he became Member of the Chamber Executive Committee. Since 2017, he serves as Vice President. In 2021 he became also Chairman of Southwest China.
He has been involved in the preparation, implementation and development activities of EU-China Sustainable Urbanization Partnership. Mr. Bagnasco was also one of the four European experts, members of the Taskforce in charge EU-China Innovation Cooperation Dialogue framework agreement promoted by DG-RTD and MoST.
In 2016 he received the Knighthood of the Order of the Star by appointment of President of the Italian Republic to have acquired special credits and in the promotion of friendship cooperation of Italy with China.
Massimo Bagnasco is the CEO of China Europe Carbon Neutral Technology, a consulting firm which provide holistic solutions to the decarbonization target by the contribution of international academic experts and leading technology companies.
In 2004, he joined Progetto CMR, the only Italian integrated design firm ranked in the top 100 worldwide. The same year he moved to China setting up the local company (Progetto CMR Beijing) with offices in Beijing and Tianjin. He operated as Managing Director and was involved in several projects in China, including master plans, hotels, mixed use complexes, retail and sports venues. In 2009 he became a shareholder partner.
From 2017 to 2022, he is appointed as the visiting professor of School of Architecture and Design at Beijing Jiaotong University.
In 2019, he was appointed as member of advisory committee of International Centre for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the auspices of UNESCO (Category 2).
In 2021 he was appointed by the Politecnico of Turin University as China Centre advisory board member.
In 2023 he was nominated “Professional Affiliate" at IdM Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa
Mr. Bagnasco got a Master degree in Urban Planning and a bachelor degree in Architecture at University of Genoa.
Dr. Christoph Schrempp
Dr. Christoph Schrempp is the General Manager of Airbus Tianjin Delivery Centre Ltd. In 2021, he was elected again to be the Chairman of the EUCCC Tianjin Chapter Board. He is an experienced senior manager with over 22 years of international leadership and industrial lobbying, having worked in various roles at Airbus in China and in Germany as well as served on German Board of Standardization for Cabin DIN/NL. He has nearly 10 years of experience with being involved in government dialogue including with the Chinese government, having served on the Board of EUCCC Tianjin Chapter in various roles including the chairman and vice-chairman. He has a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Stuttgart University in Germany.
Mr. Thierry Labarre
Thierry joined Mazars’ Paris office in 1989 where he spent 8 years, including a two-year secondment in Hong Kong as Regional Financial Controller (Asia Pacific) for a client, before he started Mazars operations in mainland China in 1997 – the year he became a partner. Since then, he has been living in Beijing with his multi-cultural family.
With 30 years of professional experience, the vast majority gained within China, Thierry serves as trusted business advisor and financial auditor with a proven track record in helping foreign companies investing in China. He developed and maintains practical knowledge of Chinese accounting & tax regulations as well as current business and operational practices in China. His focus is on adding value to cross-border transactions and providing transparency, control and assurance to management of owner-managed businesses as well as multinationals active in China.
In addition to his practice management role, Thierry specializes in Audit and Accounting (Chinese GAAPs, IFRS, US GAAP), Chinese and cross-border Tax and Social Contributions as well as Transaction Services (IPOs, Mergers & Acquisitions, Due Diligences).
Thierry is a Certified Fraud Examiner and serves on the Beijing Chapter Board of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He has particular expertise in Internal Controls and Risk & Corporate Governance as applied to the dynamic Chinese environment.