China VAT Reform: Separating Myth From Reality? 6 February 2013, 11.00 am CET
Host: Kendra Hann Presenters: Robert Tsang, Sarah Chin

In 2012, the China VAT pilot programme was introduced in Shanghai, then expanded to Beijing; plans are for expansion to other provinces and cities. What practical issues arise from the programme’s implementation and what will future VAT reforms mean for your organization in China? We’ll discuss:
Experiences of the programme’s introduction.
Key issues in practice and steps businesses can take to manage them.
Techniques and action plans for a smooth transition from a business taxpayer to a VAT payer.
Future developments – a look ahead at what may be next in VAT.
Learn about what the changes mean for your business and partners, suppliers, and clients or customers in China.

Tax Risk Management – 10 practical ideas to get you started February 6, 2013 12:00 p.m. till 12:45 p.m., Time zone Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Contact Information: Katrien Lauwers, Tel : +32 2 600 66 69, Fax : +32 2 600 67 01
E-mail: academy@deloitte.be

Prof Bart Dessein will hold a lecture on “New Confucianism and the Mandate of Heaven” on December 11, 2012 from 12.00 h till 14.00 h. at the room Rector Blancquaert, Het Pand, Onderbergen 1, Ghent.
Contrary to what is currently customary, this session will not deal with the speed and efficiency with which the “Middle Kingdom” left its Maoist heritage behind, and, in a relatively short period of time, became one of the key actors on the world stage. A closer look at what happens in China shows that intellectual and political leaders are more and more emphasizing the revaluation of, and affiliation with the Confucian tradition. This session will deal with the “Mandate of Heaven” as one of these Confucian concepts, and with the question how the Chinese political and intellectual classes have identified and – so it seems – still identify themselves with this concept. This “Mandate of Heaven” will be addressed chronologically, i.e., in imperial China, the Republican period and the Maoist period, to conclude with a discussion of its current interpretation.

De Wolf & Partners are organizing a workshop on contracts in China – the Art of Taming the Dragon, Providing a framework for the unpredictable, by Philippe Snel, Head of De Wolf & Partners Shanghai Office, on June 22, 2011 from 16:30 h. till 18:00 h. at their offices in Brussels, 2 Place du Champs de Mars / Marsveldplein, 2, 1050 Brussels. Tel: +32 2 289 64 64 Participants are also cordially invited to a reception following the workshop.

De Wolf & Partners are looking forward to receiving confirmation before June 20 by email only to Carole.Berthelot@dewolf-law.be Please note that seating is limited.

Within the framework of the bilateral academic cooperation between the province of West Flanders and the Chinese province of Zheijang, we are looking for internships for Chinese students for a period of 3 to 4 months in the academic year 2011-2012. The Chinese students of this first edition of the internship program, have followed the courses ‘Marketing’ and ‘Electronics’. The purpose is to offer them an internship in a company, or in a marketing-communication or a PR agency, preferably in West Flanders. We guarantee that the students have an excellent knowledge of the English language and will give evidence of sufficient work ethics and dynamics. If your company is interested in applying for an internship, we kindly ask you to contact Kristien Vandamme:

Provincial Government, EEG Service: Kristien Vandamme, Koning Leopold III-Laan 41, 8200 Sint-Andries, E-mail:  Kristien.vandamme@west-vlaanderen.be Tel: 050 40 33 59.