The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce and the Flanders Cleantech Association organized a meeting with a delegation led by a group of Chinese mayors of second and third-tier cities in China. The Chinese mayors were from the following cities: Lanzhou (Gansu province), Guiyang (Guizhou province), Zhuhai (Guangdong province), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The visit was organized in the framework of an exchange programme of The Climate Group, which is an organization based in the UK with offices worldwide, including Beijing and focusing on climate change and low carbon area. The aim of their visit was to facilitate the dialogue, trade and investment between Chinese cities and Europe on cleantech and environmental technologies.

The participants were welcomed Mrs Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce. This welcome was followed by an introduction by Mr Dirk Fransaer, Managing Director of VITO. Mrs An Vandeputte, Project Manager of OVAM/Public Waste Agency of Flanders gave an interesting presentation on the policy instruments and results in waste management in Flanders. Mr Daniel Dirickx, Director of the Hooge Maey explained the meaning of sustainable landfilling. Mr Bert Lemmens, Project Manager Renewable Chemicals of VITO showed how to obtain renewable chemicals from algae. To end the presentations, Mr Karl Vrancken, Research Coordinator of VITO gave his view on Enhanced Landfill Mining as a new concept for sustainable materials management.

After the presentations the delegation visited the site of the Hooge Maey. After the site visit the delegation and the Belgian companies had a lunch with a presentation by Mr Luc Bas, European Programme Director of The Climate Group. During the lunch, the Belgian companies were able to present themselves and their activities to the delegation.

This meeting was organized with the support of Flanders Investment & Trade. Pictures of this meeting will be online soon.

The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce organized a successful New Year’s reception on 16 February 2012 at KBC Bank in Brussels, attended by 300 participants.

Speeches were made by:

Mr Bert de Graeve, Chairman of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC)

His Excellency Mr Liao Liqiang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Belgium

Mr Didier Reynders, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs

Pictures of the reception will be online soon.

The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) organized its annual meeting with the Belgian Ambassador to China and the Consuls-General of Belgium in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Mr Stefaan Vanhooren, Vice Chairman of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the participants. His Excellency Mr Patrick Nijs, Ambassador of Belgium in the People’s Republic of China, delivered a speech on the prospects of the Chinese economy. Mr Bruno Georges, Consul General of Belgium in Shanghai gave us his insight of the current economic situation in Shanghai. Mr Johan D’Halleweyn, Consul General of Belgium in Guangzhou, pointed out the opportunities in Guangzhou. This speech was followed by an outlook on today’s economy in Hong Kong by Mr Evert Maréchal, Consul General of Belgium in Hong Kong.

During a networking reception, the participants were able to meet the Ambassador and the Consuls-General and to inform them about their company’s activities in China. This event was organized with the support of Flanders Investment and Trade. Pictures of the event can be viewed at this link: http://www.flanders-china.be/eventdetail.asp?id=214&cat=past

The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) and Jones Day organized an interesting conference on “Recent Legal Developments in China”. Highly experienced attorneys from Jones Day’s China offices shared with us their insights.

Mr Serge Clerckx, Partner of Jones Day and responsible for the China Desk, welcomed the participants to the Jones Day offices in Brussels. Mr Horace Lam, Partner of Jones Day Beijing shared with us several strategies to manage your business and IP in China. Mr Ian Liao, Partner of Jones Day Beijing, presented to us the major challenges in M&A deals in China. Mr Sébastien Evrard, also Partner of Jones Day Beijing, concluded the conference.

This interesting and interactive conference was organized with the support of Flanders Investment and Trade.

VOKA Chamber of Commerce Leuven, the Province of Flemish Brabant and the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) organized a successful seminar on “The art of doing business with China – winning and losing in one hand”.

Mr Jean-Pol Olbrechts, Deputy of the Province of Flemish Brabant welcomed the participants. Mrs Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director started with an introduction on the developments in doing business in China. The keynote speaker Mr Miguel Patricio, President of AB Inbev APAC, explained AB Inbev’s ambitious strategy in China on becoming “the best beer company in a better world”. Mrs Lutgart Dusar gave us an insight in the cultural differences between European and Chinese people.

The speeches were followed by an interesting panel discussion led by Mr Wim Polet, Director of the Confucius Institute – Group T. Members of the panel were Mr Luc Vriens of Waterleau Group, Mr Rik Malfait of Cegelec and Mr Jan Laan of Pivot Point.

Mr Peter Van Biesbroeck, Marketing & Communication Manager of VOKA Chamber of Commerce Leuven, concluded the seminar by giving us important tips on doing business with China. Over 80 participants attended the conference.