Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC)

The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC), Silk Road Partners (BE/HK) and Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) have jointly published a report on “Navigating through the New Chinese Business Environment”. This study provides an insight in China's transformation and what this entails for our companies. It not only offers strategic recommendations for companies which have already invested in China but also for newcomers. China's reaction to Covid-19 and the current geopolitical climate have raised questions about the risks and opportunities of doing business in and with China. This study aims to present a balanced perspective on how China has been transformed and what this means for companies which cooperate with this economic superpower. The paper highlights the historical context of China's transformation, the current economic landscape, demographic shifts, and geopolitical influences. It presents China's business-focused answer to its domestic challenges, and opportunities and strategic recommendations. The study concludes that understanding and adapting to the economic power shifts is of crucial importance. Embracing innovation, forming strategic partnerships, and remaining flexible are key to navigating the new Chinese business climate. This paper is in Dutch and can be obtained at the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce: info@flanders-china.be. #DoingBusinessInChina #ChinaBusiness #ChinaEconomy #MarketOpportunities #InnovationInChina #InvestmentInChina #BusinessStrategy #GlobalTrade Gwenn Sonck (宋惠安) Peter Buytaert Frederic Deprez

On 17th October, the EU-China Business Association (EUCBA) organised a webinar on European Business in China: Position Paper 2024/2025. During this webinar, Adam Dunnett, Secretary General, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, presented the key challenges faced by European companies in China and shared constructive recommendations to the Chinese Government on how they can be resolved. The paper aims at rebuilding business confidence in the Chinese market. Mr Dunnet also discussed the need for businesses to reassess their business strategies. Collaboration between China and the EU in sectors such as green energy, climate action, and AI can drive sustainable growth and innovation. This session was moderated by Ms Gwenn Sonck (宋惠安), Executive Director, EU-China Business Association, Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC). End of September, we also participated in the presentation of the position papers in Shanghai, presented by President Jens Eskelund and Shanghai General Manager Steven Basart. Interested in obtaining the PPT? Contact us: info@eucba.org #EUChinaBusiness #ChinaMarket #PositionPaper2024 #GlobalInvestment #BusinessConfidence #SustainableGrowth #MarketChallenges #StrategicRethink #InvestmentInChina #BusinessStrategy #EconomicPolicy

Today the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) organised an interesting webinar focused on understanding the corporate sustainability due diligence directive and its impact on business practices. During this webinar, Tom Wallyn, PwC Belgium’s Director of Sustainability, and Caroline Schmidt, Senior Manager of Environment and Sustainability at PwC Belgium, discussed the new EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Landscape. This directive introduces stringent standards to protect against adverse human rights and environmental impacts requiring businesses operating in Europe to comply with these regulations and develop robust climate transition plans.   Member States must now transpose it into national legislation by 26th July 2026. It's time for companies to take action.   This session was moderated by Ms Gwenn Sonck (宋惠安), Executive Director, Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC)/EU-China Business Association (EUCBA).   Interested in more information or the PPT slides? Contact Gwenn Sonck (宋惠安) at gwenn.sonck@fanders-china.be   Join the FCCC: https://lnkd.in/dJmymKYd #Sustainability #Compliance #FCCC #Webinar #EUSDD  #CorporateSustainabilityDueDiligenceDirective #CSDD 

Register Now: FCCC Industry Group Visit To Weihai, Shandong Province – 19 to 20 November 2024. The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) is organizing a two-day industry visit to Weihai City, Shandong Province from 19 to 20 November 2024. The aim of the visit is to get a better understanding of the unique investment environment of Weihai City and the interesting cooperation opportunities. During the visit, you will meet with high-level government leaders, have meetings with potential Chinese partners, visit development zones, and be shown around leading Weihai companies. 💼 Why Weihai? 🌏 Several of our member companies, including Beaulieu International Group and Bekaert have major investments in Weihai and have benefitted from the city's highly business-friendly investment environment. The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) and the Weihai Foreign Investment Bureau have formed a strong bond to help build and strengthen trade and investment relations. 🤝 The city is located on the eastern tip of Shandong Province, facing Korea and Japan across the sea. It has a coastline of almost 1,000 km. The leading eight Industrial Clusters of Weihai are advanced equipment and intelligent manufacturing, new medicine and medical devices, new generation information technology, new energy, carbon fiber and other composite materials, marine life and healthy food, fashion and leisure sports, and health tourism. 👉 Deadline for subscription: 21 October 2024 The number of participants will be limited. In case you are interested in joining this visit, please send an e-mail to: gwenn.sonck@flanders-china.be 🔗  Or register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/eEtYGZSi   #Flanders #China #FlandersChinaChamber #InvestmentOpportunities #InvestingInWeihai #TradeRelations #ChinaBusiness #FCCC #WeihaiInvestment #InvestmentEnvironment #Flanders #China #Bekaert #Beaulieu

The EU-China Business Association (EUCBA) is pleased to invite you to a webinar focused on “European Business in China: Position Paper 2024/2025.” This annual webinar will take place on 17 October 2024 at 11 AM CET. The Position Paper 2024/2025 details the challenges faced by European companies in China and offers recommendations to the Chinese government for resolving them. It serves as a blueprint to rebuild business confidence and restore China as a top global investment destination. The webinar will be given by Mr. Adam Dunnett, Secretary General, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. The session will be moderated by Ms. Gwenn Sonck (宋惠安), Executive Director, EU-China Business Association. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3NdFEBB

From 21 to 28 September, I represented the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) during an inspiring discovery trip to China, led by Prof. Rudy Aernoudt. The mission was organized by UNIDO ITPO and ChinaConnect with visits to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Beijing. The purpose of the trip was to provide Belgian business leaders with deeper insights into China’s innovation landscape. The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) had the privilege of organizing the business program in Shanghai on Monday. FCCC members shared their perspectives and experiences on doing business in China. Mrs. Carmen Guo, General Manager of KBC Bank Shanghai, provided an overview of China’s economic landscape and highlighted the business opportunities for Belgian companies. This was followed by a panel discussion where representatives from Bekaert and Volvo Cars shared their experiences with innovation and R&D in China. Bekaert, which operates two R&D centers globally—one of which is located in Jiangyin and is the fastest and largest in the world—was represented by Mr. Yiwen Luo, Head of Bekaert Asia R&D Center, who outlined the company's R&D strategy in this highly competitive environment. Mr. Wei Wang, Investment Director at the Volvo Car Tech Fund, Volvo Car Asia Pacific, discussed Volvo’s growth in China and internationally, emphasizing their continuous search for the latest technologies to enhance their portfolio. During lunch, Mr. Philippe Snel, lawyer and founder of Dawo Law Firm, shared his insightful perspective on the opportunities for Belgian businesses in China, drawing on his extensive experience. “The time to invest in China is now,” he remarked. As the Chamber also plays an active role at the EU-China level, managing the EU-China Business Association (EUCBA), we had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Jens Eskelund, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. He provided an overview of European business sentiment in China, sharing the EUCCC’s annual Position Papers, which are widely distributed to both Chinese and European authorities and business leaders. A special thanks to the Shanghai Diamond Stock Exchange for hosting a wonderful dinner in the historic center of Shanghai! Next post will elaborate more on this trip! Interested to learn more about our next upcoming activities on doing business with China? Visit or website: www.flanders-china.be or send an e-mail to: gwenn.sonck@flanders-china.be Denis Leysen, Thomas Vanderbeke, Tom Cuylaerts, Guy Louis, Geoffrey Ejzenberg, Patrick Van Baelen, Jun Jiang, Xander Decat

The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) is pleased to invite you to a webinar focused on “Understanding the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and its Impact on Business Practices.” This webinar is taking place on 10 October at 10 am CEST. The webinar will be given by Mr. Tom Wallyn, Director of Sustainability at PwC Belgium, and his colleague, Ms. Caroline Schmidt, Senior Manager of Environment and Sustainability. The session will be moderated by Ms. Gwenn Sonck (宋惠安), Executive Director, Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gwKm6bnJ #Sustainability #CorporateGovernance #DueDiligence #Compliance #EURegulations #PwC #FCCC #ChineseInvestimentInFlanders

The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) organized a webinar on “Experiences of Bekaert of investing in Weihai, Shandong province” on August 29. Gwenn Sonck (宋惠安) visited Weihai for the first time about 16 years ago and was impressed by the openness and dynamism of the people of Weihai. The FCCC has received many delegations from the city and also organized business delegations to visit Weihai. Over the past 16 years, the FCCC and Weihai have formed strong bonds. Several FCCC member companies such as Bekaert and Beaulieu already have major investments in Weihai. Ms. Alexis Guo, Representative of the Weihai Global Partnership Center in Europe introduced Weihai's investment climate and the different sectors in which Weihai is strong. Weihai has eight industrial clusters: the new generation of information technology; new medicine and medical devices; advanced equipment and intelligent manufacturing; carbon fiber and other composite materials; marine life and healthy food; fashion and leisure sports; health tourism; and new energy. There are also 10 advantageous industrial chains: medicine and medical devices; carbon fiber; printers; special purpose vehicles; marine food; textiles & garments; vessels; electric machinery; tires; and fishing gear. Weihai is ranked 34th in the Top 100 of innovative cities in China. Mr. Sean Sun, Senior Vice President, Rubber Reinforcement, North Asia, Bekaert, offered insights on the experiences of Bekaert of investing in Weihai. Bekaert (Shandong) Tire Cord Co was established in Weihai and developed into the world's largest single steel cord plant. Mr. Philip Eyskens, Vice Chairman of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce and Chief Legal & Compliance Officer of Bekaert, also shared his experiences. Mr. Eyskens mentioned that Weihai has been an excellent investment location for Bekaert for the past 20 years and that Bekaert always had a good relationship with the local authorities, which have been very supportive.

The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) has the pleasure to invite you to a webinar focused on "Digital Marketing in China: What You Need to Know and How to do it". This webinar is taking place on 17 September at 10 am CEST. During this session, Ms. Ting Zhang, Founder & CEO at Crayfish.io and her colleague Ms. Geyang Huang, will introduce the fundamentals of China's digital marketing landscape and offer tips on how to utilise popular local channels for your Chinese social media, with some real case studies. The session will be moderated by Ms Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director, Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e8sh6AbR #DigitalMarketing#DigitalMarketing#DigitalMarketing #Crayfish #Marketing #China #SocialMedia #FCCC

Last two tickets: Join us on this exclusive and insightful discovery trip to China from 21 to 30 September!