SH: European Business in China Position Paper 2020/2021

Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai is delighted to invite you to the launch of the European Business in China – Position Paper 2020/2021 with The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

As the flagship publication of the European Chamber, the Position Paper is comprised of the views from more than 30 industry-specific working groups representing European business in China, detailing the numerous structural challenges that remain in the China market and providing constructive recommendations to both the Chinese and European authorities alike. Its executive summary also provides a wider analysis and commentary on business and political relations, and their intertwine.

Many of these structural challenges are related to the emergence of China's 'one economy, two systems' model. One half of the economy is increasingly fair, well-regulated and welcoming to foreign investment; the other, state-driven, half sees China still nursing its national champions and over indulging its state-owned enterprises at the expense of the private sector. This indicates a gulf in the understanding of the concept of 'openness' between the EU and China.

The EU has embraced the idea that market access is granted through multilateral institutions like the World Trade Organization and bilateral ones like investment agreements. Meanwhile, it seems that China does not view market access as a right, rather a privilege that is either extended to or removed from certain areas, depending on whichever part of the economy China's leaders want foreign investment to flow to at any given time. Not only does this understanding clash with the rules-based economic order to which China voluntarily acceded, it also drags down business sentiment.

We are honored to have Jens Eskelund, the Vice President of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China to present Position Paper 2020/2021 to the whole Nordic groups.

About the Speaker

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 as Marketing Manager 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 the current position as Managing Director at Maersk China Ltd., the investment company of the Maersk Group in China. Maersk China Ltd. is also responsible for engaging Chinese 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 was elected Vice President of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China in May 2019.

Disclaimer: Please notice that Danish Chamber of Commerce (as the host of the event) might take photographs from the event and post these on its public webpage (or social media platforms) in order to create awareness of these events. By attending this event you consent to Danish Chamber of Commerce taking and using such photographs as described above. Please contact [mail@dccc-shanghai.com] if you have any inquiries related hereto.

Date

Wednesday, 23rd of September, 2020

Program

16:00 - 16:30 Registration and afternoon tea

16:30 - 17:30 Presentation of the Position Paper by Jens Eskelund

17:30 – 18:00 Q&A session

Location

3F, City Tower, Radisson Blu New World Hotel

88 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai

上海新世界丽笙大酒店

上海市南京西路88号园景楼2层

Fee

Participation Fee for this event is 230 RMB for members, 400 RMB for Non-members.

The fee includes afternoon tea and food.

Registration is binding and no-shows will be charged unless cancelled before Monday 21st Sep 2020.