China Innovation Trip
From 25 to 31 May, the Province of West Flanders and the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) joined forces to organise an innovation mission to China, led by Governor Carl Decaluwé. This visit marked 25 years of collaboration between West Flanders and Zhejiang Province.
The mission was moderated by Professor Rudy Aernoudt, who provided expert economic insights throughout the journey. The FCCC was represented by Philippe Latour, Chairman and Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director. More than 40 participants from the business and education sectors took part in this eye-opening mission. The Consul General of Belgium in Shanghai, Mr Pascal Buffin and Mr Frank Van Eynde, Flemish Economic Trade Commissioner FIT Shanghai, joined several activities of this innovation trip. The trip began in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, known as a hub of innovation and home to several of China’s most prominent unicorns. We visited a wide range of pioneering companies, including:
• Unitree Robotics – Developer of advanced quadruped robots used in logistics, public safety, and industry
• Alibaba Group – Global leader in e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure
• Dahua Technology – Expert in smart surveillance and security systems
• Robam Appliances – Innovator in smart kitchen automation, showcasing “dark factory” manufacturing
The trip delegation then continued to Shanghai with visits to NIO (smart electric vehicles and innovative battery services) and Pony a.i. (autonomous driving).
FCCC Seminar in Shanghai 30 May 2025
On 30 May, the FCCC organized an engaging seminar in Shanghai on China’s business landscape and the opportunities it presents for Flemish companies.
The event began with opening remarks by Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce. She set the tone for the day by introducing the central theme and underscoring China’s accelerating focus on innovation, pointing to the valuable opportunities this presents for Flemish enterprises.
The first speaker, Frank Van Eynde, Flemish Economic Trade Commissioner in Shanghai, provided an overview of the role of Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) and the services it offers to support the internationalization of Flemish companies, as well as its assistance to foreign businesses interested in investing in Flanders. He also offered insights into the Yangtze River Delta, the economic and innovative engine of China, and outlined key opportunities for Flemish companies. His presentation covered economic trends in the region, areas with high growth potential, and practical tips on doing business in China.
Next, Carmen Guo, General Manager of KBC Bank Shanghai, delivered a presentation on China’s economic outlook and the opportunities available for Belgian companies. She focused on macroeconomic developments, regulatory changes, and the strategic advantages of operating in China.
Following this, Kurt Van Rijsselberghe, Head of Bekaert China, shared Bekaert’s experience in China, offering a practical perspective on the company’s journey, challenges faced, and successful strategies for navigating the Chinese market.
The session continued with Mr. Philippe Snel, Founder and Lawyer at Dawo Law Firm Shanghai and Board Member of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce. He delivered an in-depth presentation on the business and legal landscape for foreign companies in China, highlighting key regulatory considerations and offering legal advice based on his extensive experience in the region. His message: “This is a great time to consider doing business in or with China—and probably the best time in the past 20 years to invest in China!”
The presentations concluded with a Q&A session, during which participants actively engaged with the speakers, asking questions and sharing their experiences.
The event ended with closing remarks by Prof. Rudy Aernoudt of Ghent University, who summarized the key takeaways of the day and encouraged companies to embrace innovation.
