As associated partner of the EU SME Centre, the EU-China Business Association is organizing the 2023 Understanding China Conference, the Centre’s flagship event of the year.
Registrations are now open to attend the event, free of charge, in person or online. Please note that seating is limited at the venue: participants wishing to join the event in Brussels are advised to register as early as possible.
About the Understanding China Conference
The Understanding China Conference is a two-day annual series of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and workshops organized since 2011 by the EU SME Centre. The Conference’s objective is to inform stakeholders on the most recent developments and trends observed in China and discuss potential impacts on European small and medium-sized enterprises.
This event has been developed for intermediary organizations in Europe such as government agencies, industry associations, business support organizations (BSOs), trade promotion organizations (TPOs), chambers of commerce, and clusters.
Participation is free of charge and all sessions are organized in English. Ask EU Partnerships Manager Davide Orlandi your questions about this event by email at: davide.orlandi@eusmecentre.org.cn.
The programme is as follows:
Day 1: Tuesday 24 October
8:30 – 9:00 Registration at the venue (For onsite participants only)
9:00 – 9:30. Opening remarks
Fabrice Terrac, Deputy Head of Unit A3, Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs – DG GROW
Igor Kalinic, Head of Sector I.02, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency – EISMEA
Renzo Isler, Coordinator of the Consortium; Secretary General, China-Italy Chamber of Commerce
9:30 – 11:00 China’s Economic Outlook: Keynote speakers and panellists:
Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Chief Economist for Asia Pacific, Natixis
Agatha Kratz, Director, Rhodium Group
François Chimits, Analyst, Mercator Institute for China Studies – MERICS
Panel discussion moderator: Adam Dunnett, Secretary General, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 – 12:45. EU-China Trade Relations: Keynote speakers and panellists:
Eva Valle Lagares, Head of Unit, Directorate General for Trade – DG Trade
Tudor P. Fabian, Policy Advisor to INTA Vice-Chair & MEP Iuliu Winkler (EPP/RO)
12:45 – 14:00. Standing Lunch
14:00 – 15:30. EU SMEs in China: Policy Environment and Business Confidence: Keynote speakers and panellists:
Ester Cañada Amela, Advocacy Manager, EU SME Centre
Bernardo Mendia, Secretary General, Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce & Industry – CCILC
Marco Bettin, Director General, Italy-China Council Foundation – ICCF
Panel discussion moderator: Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director, EU-China Business Association – EUCBA
15:30 – 15:45. Coffee break
15:45 – 17:30 Technology Policy Direction and Impacts: Keynote speakers:
John Lee, Director, East West Futures Consulting
Jeroen Groenewegen-Lau, Head Program Science, Technology and Innovation, Mercator Institute for China Studies – MERICS
17:30 – 19:00. Networking cocktail
Day 2: Wednesday 25 October
8:30 – 9:00. Registration at the venue (For onsite participants only)
9:00 – 10:00. New Trends and Developments & Interacting with Partners in China: Keynote speakers:
Alessio Petino, Business Advisor, EU SME Centre
Ester Cañada Amela, Advocacy Manager, EU SME Centre
10:00 – 10:45. Intellectual Property Rights Protection in China: Keynote speaker:
Simon Cheetam, Team Leader, China IP SME Helpdesk; Managing Director, Erinyes International Ltd
10:45 – 11:00. Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30 EU SMEs in China: Case Studies and Success Stories
Practical information:
Date and time: 24 October 2023, 08:30-19:00 and 25 October 2023, 08:30-12:30
Location: Renaissance Brussels Hotel, Rue du Parnasse 19, 1050 Brussels & Online
Price: Free of charge
