The European Policy Centre (EPC) and BUSINESSEUROPE are organizing a Policy Dialogue with Karel De Gucht, European Commissioner for Trade, to mark the launch of a major report by BUSINESSEUROPE on the EU-China economic relationship, on Friday 14 October 2011, from 11h30 to 13h00 (registration from 11h10) at Crowne Plaza Europa Hotel, 107 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels.

China’s spectacular rise from a developing country to an economic and industrial superpower has major implications for the European and global economy. Over the past 15 years, China has tripled its share of the global export market from around 5% to over 16%, overtaking Japan (9%) and the U.S. (12%), and just behind the EU (19%). European companies have benefitted from the opening up of Chinese markets. However, the dominant role of the state in subsidizing and supporting Chinese businesses in China, coupled with a sophisticated strategic approach to international development, raises a challenge for European companies. The growing importance of China calls for a new cooperation strategy at EU level to enable the European businesses to compete on a level playing field.

Jürgen Thumann, President of BUSINESSEUROPE, will present the main findings of the report in relation to three areas where the EU and China are in direct competition: inside China, in Europe, and on third markets. A panel of experts, including Karel De Gucht, European Commissioner for Trade, and Chong Dahai, Senior Economic Journalist at the Xinhua News Agency in Brussels, will comment on the findings and take part in a question and answer session, chaired by Hans Martens, EPC Chief Executive.

Please confirm your participation by replying to n.news@epc.eu European Policy Centre:
Tel: 02 231 03 40, Fax: 02 231 07 04 – 02 230 74 72, www.epc.eu

“China Connecting Conversations, Fostering an inducive climate for business collaboration, a 21st century true leadership and learning experience” is organized by the China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS) with the support of the EU-China Business Association, of which the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce holds the general secretariat. The event takes place on 23-24 September 2011 at Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue, Zürich, Switzerland.

As a leading global business school (Financial Times 2011 MBA ranking #17 in the world and #1 in Asia for seven consecutive years), CEIBS has played a major role in the history of China by developing Chinese and Western business leaders with deep China insights and a global mindset. CEIBS is taking this role across the borders of China into Europe. The objective is to enable business leaders around the world to adapt and succeed in their home market, in China and in the rest of the world, by embracing the rising ‘China Factor’ within the global business context. Participants are members of global Executive and Supervisory Boards, global business managers, regional and country CEOs of leading companies from around the world, who want to make a difference and share CEIBS’s ambition to foster an inducive climate for global business collaboration.

Participants will gain deep insights in: – The ‘China Factor’ in global business context; – Key drivers of successful collaboration across borders; – How Chinese top companies compete; – Chinese, Indian and Western leadership styles and the values of the Chinese GenY ; – Different models for collaborative innovation; – How to drive value from the ‘China Factor’ through cooperative behavior.

Participation in this by-invitation-only event is limited to 40 participants. The programme fee is €2.500. Members of member organizations of the EUCBA (including FCCC members) are offered a special discount of €500 (including welcome reception & dinner, accommodation for one night, tuition, case licensing fees, lunches, stationery, other course materials).

RSVP to Annette Nijs at anijs@ceibs.edu

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Volvo Cars are oganizing a concert of the Zhejiang Geely Symphony Orchestra in Brussels, performing classical Chinese en western music. The concert aims to promote closer ties between China and Europe. Music Links the World. It will take place on Sunday, 2 October 2011 at 19h30 at Flagey Studio 4, Heilig-Kruisplein, 1050 Elsene.

The orchestra will hold a concert tour spanning six European countries, including Italy, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Belgium. Zhejiang Geely Symphony Orchestra has chosen well-trained, highly-talented and vital young artists for its European audience. They will play modern Chinese symphonies as well as western classics. Geely is an enterprise full of vitality and dreams. After 25 years of development, it has become one of the top ten automotive companies in China. With the mission of making the safest, most environmentally-friendly and energy-saving cars and turning Geely into a globally recognized brand, Geely is still forging ahead to become one of the Fortune 500 companies in the years to come.

China remains the muscle behind the global economic recovery. To tap the boundless opportunities in this economic powerhouse, MNCs must raise the efficiency of their China operations and pro-actively manage their legal risks. Baker & McKenzie’s award-winning China and North America teams can help by sharing insights on the latest trends and best practices through their popular Eye-On-China webinar series. The webinars will take place on the first Wednesday of each month lasting no more than 75 minutes for each session. The fall program will be resumed on October 5.

Wednesday, October 5: China’s Antitrust Regime Takes Shape – New Rules Impacting M&As, Sales and Distribution. The Chinese Government has changed the rules of the antitrust game in China, impacting China-based mergers and acquisitions as well as the sales and distribution of goods and services. Companies need to know how to compete safely in this new regulatory environment. Bing Ho and CF Lui (partner and special counsel of Baker & McKenzie’s China offices), and Stephen Harris (Baker & McKenzie’s Washington DC office) will explain how these antitrust developments affect operations in China.

Wednesday, November 2: Online Sales in China: Opportunities amidst Regulatory Confusion Wednesday, December 7: Products Originating in China – IP Issues and Lessons Learned

More information is available on the website www.bakermckenzie.com

Agoria is organizing the IPR China Conference focused on Technology Transfer, to be held on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 at the Diamant Building in Brussels. The conference is to be held in cooperation with FPS Economy, S.M.E.s, Self-employed and Energy, FIT, Brussels Invest & Export, AWEX, BCECC, FCCC and EU China IPR SME Helpdesk. This will be a full day event – a half day interactive seminar in the morning, a networking lunch, and an optional individual free advice session in the afternoon by the China IPR experts of the EU China IPR Helpdesk to each of the 12 first registered and individual advices requesting participating company.

Will be provided at the conference: practical business information on how to protect IPR during technology transfer (in a larger sense) in China, managing intellectual assets, dealing successfully with Chinese partners and using the Chinese IP system to enforce rights effectively. The speakers will share their experience of IP protection and enforcement in China, and give practical tips on achieving the results required to do business effectively in China. A technology transfer guide with IPR China advices will also be distributed to the participants.

Registration via email to evelyne.vandurme@agoria.be The program is available at www.agoria.be