Global Power China: Future or Challenge of Germany

The Economist reported on February 18, 2018 that for years Western companies dismissed Chinese firms—first as an irrelevance, then as industrial spies and copycats. Most recently China has been seen as a tech Galapagos, where unique species thrive than would never spread abroad. Yet, China’s technology industry has been catching up far faster than expected. Venture capitalists return from trips to China blown away by its energy. China’s government has set a goal of becoming dominant in artificial intelligence by 2030. In e-commerce and mobile payments, it has already overtaken America.

China overtook the US and France as Germany's most important trading partner in 2016. Given increasing competition in several industry sectors, the relationshp is complex and ambivalent. We want to use the opportunity to gain a first hand insight into the most recent developments in China and try to understand the implications for Germany and how Germany could leverage the relationship to capture opportunities in an ever more protectionist global economy.

Prof. Dr. Herr is expert on global financial markets and international currency systems. He set up the renowned Sino-German International Monetary Conference between Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu and Berlin. See his bio at: https://www.hwr-berlin.de/hwr-berlin/ueber-uns/personen/1097-hansjoerg-herr/.

Specialist for M&A between Europe and China and author of a current study on EU legalization towards non-EU direct investments. She has gained wide experience in advising Chinese investors and has worked as a secondee in the Beijing office. She is a specialist for national and cross-border acquisitions, public takeovers, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. She also frequently advises corporate clients on all aspects of group law and management responsibility and has special knowledge in warranty & indemnity insurances. Sandra studied law at University of Trier (Germany). She holds an LL.M. degree from Columbia Law School, New York, and a doctorate degree from University of Trier. Notable deals of Dr. Link include Bohai Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. acquisition of 75% shares in TRIMET.

Moderator:

Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin has more than 15 years experience in China and is consulting Chinese investors with a focus on real estate and education investments. He gives workshops on Doing Business with China at various universities in Germany. Prior, Kevin worked for the European Office of Shenzhen Municipal Government and was Member of the Board of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (SW China Chapter). He is a Member of Neijiang Association of Vocational Education, and resident-entrepeneur at Chengdu Technical School.

Mr. Martin is a graduate of the prestigious joint-MBA program by Columbia Business School, London Business School and Hong Kong University. He holds an M.A. of University Trier in China Studies, Economics and Political Science. He studied financial news communication on a China Government Scholarship at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chinese language and published various articles on China in FAZ, South China Industry Guide, EuroBiz, China Bridge, China Youth Daily and others.

Sponsorship:

We thank BHS Steuerberatungsgesellschaft mbH (www.bhs-steuerberater.de) for sponsoring catering and drinks for this event.