In this episode our host Adam Dunnett, secretary general of the European Chamber, sits down with guest speakers Renzo Isler, director of the EU SME Centre, Helika Jurgenson, project manager at the China IP SME Helpdesk, and Ester Canada Amela, advocacy manager at the EU SME Centre. They discuss China’s business environment for SMEs, and propose recommendations both for those that are looking to invest in China and those already operating here.

What to listen for:

00:50–05:11 Renzo introduces the EU SME Centre, and identifies potential opportunities and challenges for SMEs in China

05:12–08:26 Helika introduces the China IP SME Helpdesk, defines important terms related to intellectual property (IP), and explains the importance of IP.

08:27–11:42 Ester explains what advocacy work involves and how it can benefit SMEs.

11:43–16:18 Renzo and Ester explain the difference between the EU SME Centre and consultancies.

16:19–21:31 Renzo gives recommendations and useful tools for SMEs looking to invest in China.

21:32–27:54 Helika provides IP-related suggestions and tools, with an example to explain what companies need to do.

27:55–33:40 Ester recommends SMEs get involved in advocacy and explains how to get started.

33:41–36:44 Helika comments on an actual IP-related case presented by Adam.

Additional notes:

Self-diagnosis tool for SMEs: eusmecentre.org.cn/quiz

IP tools: intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/ip-management-and-resources/ip-tools_en

EU SME Centre website: eusmecentre.org.cn

China IP SME Helpdesk website: intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/regional-helpdesks/china-ipr-sme-helpdesk_en

Inter-chamber SME Position Paper: www.europeanchamber.com.cn/en/publications-archive/951/Inter_Chamber_Small_and_Medium_sized_Enterprise_Working_Group_Position_Paper_2021_2022

In this episode, we sitdown with Jörg Wuttke, president of the European Chamber, Caroline Chen, chairof the Information and Communication Technology Working Group, and Xu Zhonghua,chair of the Energy Working Group, to look at the recently released EuropeanBusiness in China Position Paper 2021/2022– the Chamber’s annual flagshipreport, and discuss the potential impact of China’s 14thFive-yearPlan on European businesses.

In this episode, our South China Chapter colleague, government affairs manager Peter Drucker, sat down with Klaus Zenkel, newly elected chair of the South China Chapter, to discuss the local business environment in South China, expectations of the Greater Bay Area, and his work plan as chair of the South China chapter for the next two years.

In this episode, we sit down with European Chamber Vice President andShanghai Chapter Chair Carlo D’Andrea and Shanghai Working Group andCommunications Coordinator Rachel Rapaport to discuss the recently releasedShanghaiPosition Paper. If you would like to download the report, please clickhere.

In this episode, we look at China’s cybersecurity and data management framework, mainly the Cybersecurity Law, the draft Data Security Law and personal information protection; how they might impact European businesses operating in China, and the differences between Chinese and European approaches to cyber and data issues. Guest speakers Caroline Chen, vice chair of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Working Group, and Cindi Yu, coordinator of the ICT and Cybersecurity working groups join the discussion.

Abbreviations:

- CII (Critical Information Infrastructure)

- VPN (Virtual Private Networks)

- CAC (Cyberspace Administration of China)

- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation

In this episode, welook at China’s cybersecurity and data management framework, mainly theCybersecurity Law, the draft Data Security Law and personal informationprotection; how they might impact European businessesoperating in China, and the differences between Chinese and European approachesto cyber and data issues. Guest speakers Caroline Chen, vice chair of theInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) Working Group, andCindi Yu, coordinator of the ICT and Cybersecurity working groups join thediscussion.

Abbreviations:

- CII (Critical Information Infrastructure)

- VPN (Virtual Private Networks)

- CAC (Cyberspace Administration of China)

- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

In the third episode, we look into the top-level meeting between presidents Von der Leyen, Michel and Merkel and Chinese President Xi. Our head of European affairs, Ester Canada Amela joins to discuss the details of the meeting. Chamber President Joerg Wuttke then provides conclusions and what we can expect on the horizon.

In the second episode Breaking the Glass Ceiling, we look at the European Chamber’s Cross-industry Mentor Initiative (CIMI). We are joined by mentor-mentee pairing Joerg Wuttke, Vice President and Chief Representative of BASF China and President of European Chamber, and Gloria Zhou, Head of Strategy and Business Portfolio at BP China, who share their mentoring experience and explain how the CIMI is different from other in-house mentor programmes. Guest speaker Sarah Wagner, Project Manager at GIZ, moderates the discussion.

The European Chamber launched this programme at the end of 2019, with a focus on improving female representation at senior management and board level in China. If you want to know more about the CIMI and would like to apply to become a mentee, please visit this webpage: https://www.europeanchamber.com.cn/en/national-news/3273. （copy and paste the link in browser）

In the inaugural episode, hear from Chamberinsiders Vice President Massimo Bagnasco, and staff members Carl Hayward, JacobGunter and Tom Groot Haar as they discuss the ever-shifting policy landscapeand the challenges they faced when trying to return to China during theCOVID-19 pandemic. On the agenda: Recent policy updates, enduring uncertaintywhile stuck abroad, navigating the return-visa labyrinth, and tips forsurviving and thriving during quarantine.