China has for many years ranked among the most favoured destinations for multinational enterprises to set up business and invest, attracted by the promises of China’s fast-growing economy, the size of the Chinese market, the efficient and relatively skilled labour force, and China’s deep integration into global value chains. As lately as 2022, China received record inflows of foreign direct investment into its economy. However, with the recent challenges facing the Chinese economy, reports accumulate of growing difficulties in doing business in China, companies hesitating to invest in the country or moving manufacturing out to other locations, and investment in China having recently fallen off a cliff.

Yet, while these are concerning developments for China, it remains unclear whether they signal a more profound shift in sentiment towards China as a location for business, manufacturing and services provision, or are merely a temporary side effect of its current economic woes. Will it be sufficient for China to continue building on the strengths that have previously made it so attractive for foreign business and investment, or will more be required to keep multinational enterprises interested in China?

This panel invites experienced managers and experts on business in China - Robert Xiao, Daniel Birke, Anne Wang & Russell Brown OBE, chaired by Jan Knoerich (King's College London) to share their views on the current and future role of China as a location for business, manufacturing and services provision and as a destination for foreign investment. 

This is an online event only. Registration is required.

Speakers

Robert Xiao is the Director of the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network (EICN) in Beijing. He is responsible for engaging in high-level dialogues with business and political leaders, providing insights on global macroeconomic trends and policy directions for Fortune 500 decision-makers to support their macro layout and business development in domestic and international markets. Mr Xiao obtained his Ph.D. in Finance from Monash University and graduated with honours (B.Com. Hons) from Monash Business School in 2008 as the highest-achieving student in his cohort. He has won multiple awards from Australian universities, including the Australian Postgraduate Awards granted by the Australian Federal Government.

Anne Wang is Chief Operating Officer for the Greater China region at APCO Worldwide and is based in Beijing. Anne Wang has over 15 years of experience in advising multinational corporations on their advocacy and communications strategies in the China market. At APCO, she mainly serves clients in the health care, FMCG and education sectors. She provides strategic counsel on China’s macro-economic and industrial policies to global and China management teams of multinational companies as well as trade and industrial associations.

Daniel Birke 白桦 is Partner at McKinsey & Co., Beijing. Daniel specializes in complex transformations in multinational automotive and industrial B2B businesses. He is leading Growth, Marketing and Sales in Advanced Industries in Asia and works on deploying innovative digital and advanced analytics approaches to transform the way companies sell. 

Russell Brown OBE is Vice Chairman and Partner of Acclime Group, a regional corporate services firm. In 2001 Russell founded LehmanBrown International Accountants, a China‐focused accounting, taxation and business advisory firm employing around 200 professionals. LehmanBrown merged into Acclime Group in 2021. At LehmanBrown Russell was the Managing Partner.

Jan Knoerich is Reader in China and the Global Political Economy at the Lau China Institute, School of Global Affairs, King’s College London. He lectures on the Chinese economy and Chinese international investments, and his research focuses on the business, political economy and development dimensions of Chinese international investments and financial internationalisation. Dr Knoerich’s work has appeared in leading academic journals, such as New Political Economy, the Journal of World Business, and the China Quarterly, and he has written several books and book chapters. His research has received funding support from the British Academy, Leverhulme Trust and the Economic and Social Research Council, and Dr Knoerich has been a consultant on foreign direct investment for the United Nations, European Union and various governments, think-tanks and the private sector.