China Direct

Protecting your IP in China - free Webinars for EU SMEs

 

[Image courtesy of www.china-iprhelpdesk.eu]

Dear CBI members,

Kindly find an invitation below from our strategic partner, the EU SME Helpdesk (Beijing), for EU SMEs to register for a series of free IP webinars to be held on Wed 30 May and Tues 19 June.   

Register now for the Upcoming China IPR SME Helpdesk Webinars

China IPR SME Helpdesk web-based seminars are free of charge, practical and business-focused training sessions that you can join from the comfort and convenience of your own computer.

Our IP experts will deliver a detailed, jargon-free overview of the key IPR considerations that European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) need to be aware of, and present a range of simple, cost-effective measures to protect European SMEs’ intellectual property and business in China. 

The seminars will also highlight the long term costs to businesses that do not take preventative action, through case studies and information on typical costs of recovering IP assets.

 Save the dates of our webinars:

1. 1.      Wed 30 May 2012 - Using IP as a Business Asset in China (click here)
2. 2.      Tues 19 June 2012 - Protecting Online IPR in China (click here)

 For more information on Helpdesk webinars and the simple registration process, please visit the following link and view our 2-page Quick Start Guide.

 

 

Using Intellectual Property as a Business Asset Join us for a Webinar on May 30     Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/455474750 Intangible assets such as inventions, designs and brands frequently represent over 50% of a business' value, which are usually protected by intellectual property such as trade marks, patents and copyrights. Managing these assets strategically will help you capture the value of your IPR and could significantly increase the financial valuation of your business. This webinar will introduce the following : •  Maximising IP assets to manage return on investment, and drive your business     infringers •  Providing security for financing through IP •  Optimising business strategy and structure in China to protect IP assets •  How IP assets can affect tax rates Join China IPR SME Helpdesk expert, Davide Follador, on Wednesday 30 May 2012 for:   “ Using Intellectual Property as a Business Asset ”     This free, 45-minute webinar presentation and 30 minute Q&A session on Wednesday 30 May 2012 at 10.30am Brussels time (9.30am London, 4.30pm China) will take you through a range of simple, cost-effective measures to protect your intellectual property and your business in China. Get valuable insights from our expert, and ask live questions throughout the webinar. Please see our short 2-page Quick Start guide for more information on Helpdesk webinars, how they can help your business, and the simple registration process. This webinar and associated materials will be in English. Title: Using Intellectual Property as a Business Asset Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Time: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM CEST After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer Special note for Mac users: If you are joining our webinar on a Mac®, please make sure your computer meets the system requirements below: •   Safari™ 3.0 or newer, Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer     (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled) •   Mac OS® X 10.5 – Leopard® or newer •   Intel processor (512 MB of RAM or better recommended) •   Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection If you are asked to enable Java™ during the setup process, press the “enable” button, and then restart your internet browser for the changes to take effect. Please note: you cannot just close the browser window. You must quit and restart the browser for Java™ to be enabled. If you experience technical problems joining the webinar, please call the GotoWebinar 24 hour technical support team who will take you through the process. This is a local number that varies between countries - visit http://support.gotomeeting.com under the ‘Contact Us’ section to see your local technical support number. COMING SOON: Be the first to sign up for our other upcoming webinars: Protecting Online IPR in China: Tuesday 19 June 2012 (click here)

British Airways flying high with best airport terminal award

 

[Image courtesy of www.britishairways.com]

China, 17 May, 2012 – CBI member British Airways’ home hub T5 has been voted the World's Best Airport Terminal by airline travellers at the World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Vienna.

Organised by independent survey company Skytrax, the awards are based on 12 million customer surveys completed over ten months covering 388 airports.

"Despite initial teething problems when Terminal 5 opened in 2008, it has since become a firm favourite with passengers,” said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax.

"The architecture, ambience and terminal layout was repeatedly mentioned in the feedback in the survey, as well as the extensive range of shopping and dining options in the departures area."

Kevin McQuillan, British Airways Regional General Manager, East Asia said, "It’s wonderful to see Terminal 5 being recognised as the world’s best airport terminal. The award really contributes to our brand promise of providing world-class customer service. Over the next five years British Airways will be investing more than £5bn in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground."

Please download the full Press Release below.

Download British Airways' home hub T5 voted world's best airport terminal_Eng

Pfizer announces good China growth results

 

[Image courtesy of www.pfizer.com]

CBI member Pfizer recently released its results for the first quarter of 2012, reporting revenues from its Emerging Markets unit up 9% operationally in comparison to a year earlier.

The strong performance was primarily due to continued volume growth across the product portfolio, particularly in China, Russia, and Mexico, as a result of more focused, targeted promotional efforts for key products.

Pfizer's Nutrition unit revenues increased 8% operationally compared to a year earlier, driven by the continued benefits from successful new product launches, increased promotional activities, and overall strength in key markets, most notably China.

Please click here to read Pfizer's full results for the first quarter.

Penguin China sells Paul French bestseller for adaptation to TV mini-series

 

[Image courtesy of www.penguin.com.cn]

CBI member Penguin announced the sale of the television serial rights to Midnight in Peking by Paul French to Kudos Television for adaptation into a major international TV mini-series.

Already a #1 bestseller in Asia, Midnight in Peking will be published by Penguin in the U.S. on 21 April 2012 and in the U.K. on 31 May.

Please download the full press release by Penguin below.

Download Midnight in Peking Television Rights PR April 2012

Jaguar Land Rover announce highest ever China sales

 

[Image courtesy of www.jaguarlandrover.com]

CBI member Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) recently announced its highest-ever quarterly sales in China, with 17,997 vehicles delivered in the first three months this year, up 110% over the same period last year.

Jaguar delivered 2,098 units in the first quarter, up 156%, while Land Rover delivered 15,899 units, up 105%. The exceptional first quarter sales figures contributed to the conclusion of a successful fiscal year (April 2011—March 2012), which saw deliveries of 52,032 units, up 76% over the fiscal year of 2010/2011.

JLR will be an active participant in the upcoming Beijing Auto Show, which will feature the global debut of a new XJ model and the China debut of the Jaguar C-X16 Concept as well as the world premiere of the Range Rover Evoque Victoria Beckham Edition.

Commenting on JLR's impressive performance in the first quarter, Bob Grace, President of JLR China, said, "This year's promising start has strengthened our resolve to carry our superb sales forward by relentlessly bringing the finest brand experience possible to our Chinese customers. At the upcoming Beijing Auto Show, Jaguar Land Rover will showcase a breathtaking model line-up that further demonstrates the rich brand connotations of our unique British heritage. We will endeavour to continue bringing more smaller-engine models to this highly valuable market—to satisfy the demands of our discerning Chinese customers."

JLR remains strongly committed to sustainable development in China, focusing on new technology, environmental protection, humanitarian aid, and education. With a total China fund amounting to nearly £7.75 million, JLR's CO₂ Offset Programme has 17 out of its 50 environmental projects located in China. In support of education, JLR recently established its second "Apprentice Training Programme" in Shanghai following the successful launch of the programme in Beijing last year. In addition, JLR recently sponsored the "Sport for All Programme" in partnership with the Shanghai Rugby Football Club, which promotes the healthy growth and development of children through physical exercise. 

Please click here to read the full press release by JLR

China Economic Focus - March 2012 Summary

 

Dear CBI Members, kindly find the latest economic summary from the British Embassy attached with highlights below.

China Direct would like to thank Henry Bell and Huang Zhenqian for sharing this with our members.

China Economic Focus Summary March 2012

• Premier Wen Jiabao set out a yearly growth target of 7.5 percent at the National People’s Congress, the lowest target since 2005. But most analysts believe that the growth will remain above 8 percent, consistent with a 'soft landing'.
• Macroeconomic data for the first two months of 2012 has been mixed, but the distortions caused by Chinese New Year make it hard to draw robust conclusions.
• Industrial production growth declined to 11.4 percent in January and February combined (on a year earlier), reaching a 29 month low. Fixed asset investment growth has slowed since mid 2011, reaching 21.5 percent in January and February. Growth of retail sales, a proxy for consumption, dropped to 14.7 percent in the first two months, compared with 18.1 percent in December. On the other hand, at 53.1, the official purchasing manager’s index was significantly stronger than expected.
• Inflation fell to 3.2 percent, well below the official target for 2012 of 4 percent. The slowdown was mainly driven by the food prices falling after the Chinese New Year. With inflation now under control and most economic data weaker than expected, the authorities have scope and incentive to introduce policies to support growth. Further cuts to the required reserve ratio are expected.
• Property prices remain flat or on downward trend. But the price falls so far have been moderate and the central authorities remain determined to bring prices down to 'a more reasonable level'.
• Both exports and imports rebounded in February but much of this can be explained by the effect of Chinese New Year in January. Overall, the trade picture in 2012 so far has been weak.
• The RMB remained stable in March. The authorities have recently indicated an appetite for currency reform. In the first instance, reform is likely to entail a widening of the daily trading band.
• There were not many surprises from the annual National People’s Congress meeting in March. The authorities emphasised expanding domestic (consumption) demand but there was little discussion of the structural reforms necessary to achieve this.

Download CEF-Mar2012

 

 

   

New CBI member BNY Mellon opens Beijing Office Subsidiary

 

[Image courtesy of www.bnymellon.com]

CBI member BNY Mellon's subsidiary Eagle Investment Systems recently opened its first representative office in China. Located in Beijing, Eagle's new office will be led by Chief Representative John Legrand.

In addition, Tian Cheng was appointed as Eagle's Head of Business Development for China and Yong Wang was named as a product specialist for Eagle in China.

As its business grows, Eagle expects to expand its team in Beijing over the next three years.

BNY Mellon has been active in the region for more than 90 years and opened its first office in mainland China in 1994.

Commenting on Eagle's new office in Beijing, John Legrand said, "China is a key market for Eagle. Over the past four years, we have seen an increasing number of Chinese financial institutions place considerable attention on data management and increased efficiencies as central components of their risk management strategy. We therefore felt it was important to open an office in China to more closely align with Chinese institutions and provide them with the data management solutions they require."

Steve Lackey, Chairman of Asia-Pacific at BNY Mellon, said, "Eagle has a world-class reputation for innovation. Eagle offers technology and services, which address the required levels of transparency, scalability, and security financial institutions around the world need more than ever today. We are delighted to be able to offer Chinese institutions access to Eagle's local talent and expertise as well as products and services."

Please click here to read the full press release by BNY Mellon.

Jaguar Land Rover's journey of discovery - from Birmingham to Beijing!

 

[Image courtesy of www.jaguarlandrover.com]

Three Land Rover Discovery vehicles will undertake the 50-day, 8,000 mile adventure through more than a dozen countries across Europe and Central Asia. The expedition will arrive in time for the Beijing motor show on 23 April.

The Journey of Discovery was launched with help from a number of renowned explorers who have all used the Land Rover Discovery in their adventures, including Bear Grylls, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ray Mears, Monty Halls, and Ben Saunders.

Land Rover has also started its most ambitious fund-raising project to date as part of the expedition, aiming to raise £1 million for the company's Global Humanitarian Partner, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The money will be used to support a water sanitation project in Uganda.

Phil Popham, Group Sales Operations Director, JLR, said, "Discovery is an extraordinary vehicle, and it deserves to be unleashed on an extraordinary journey. There is no better vehicle to tackle all weather, all terrain than the Discovery 4. This gruelling expedition will be visiting 13 countries and covering 8,000 miles, and it's a fitting initiative to celebrate the one millionth vehicle."

Alan Volkaerts, Operations Director, JLR Solihull Operations, said, "Many people are involved in the production of the Discovery, and many have been here for the whole journey, from car number one to car number one million. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank every one of them. They have done a brilliant job, and have displayed great dedication and service. These are the men and women who have made the Discovery the success story it is today.

"I am very pleased to tell you that their numbers are also growing. The success of the Discovery, and of Jaguar Land Rover, means that we are coming to the final stages of a major recruitment drive to fill more than 1,000 new positions here at Solihull, as Jaguar Land Rover embarks on its most ambitious growth plan for many years."

Please click here to read the full press release by JLR.  

UK and China celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations 1972-2012

 

 


On 13 March 2012, China and the U.K. celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations at the Ambassadorial level. 

Over the past four decades, cooperation between the two countries has flourished in many areas, including trade and investment, education, culture, science and technology, sports, tourism, and sustainable development.

Impressive figures include:

     • In 1972, the UK received only 200 Chinese students while China received 100 British students. 
       Today, there are over 100,000 Chinese students in the U.K., more than any other foreign student 
       group, and there are 3,300 British students in China.

     • There are now 19 Confucius Institutes and 60 Confucius classrooms in the U.K.

     • In 2010, more than 575,000 British nationals visited China, and nearly 130,000 Chinese tourists 
       visited the U.K.

     • The U.K. ranked as China's top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) among E.U. countries in 
       2010 and between January and August in 2011. China's investment in the U.K. has grown from 
       almost none in 1972 to more than $2.3 billion now.

     • Bilateral trade has increased from $300 million in 1972 to $58.7 billion today.

     • China co-authors more scientific research papers with the U.K. than with any other country other 
       than the U.S. and Japan.

The 40th anniversary is one of a number of landmark events in 2012, which highlight the strengthening relationship between China and the U.K. Following the spectacular Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, London will host the Olympic Games this year between July and September. The U.K. looks forward to welcoming the Chinese delegation, the largest of any competing nation. 

In addition, U.K. Now, the largest British arts festival in China ever, will be held between April and November this year, bringing more than 100 U.K. cultural events to 17 cities across China.

In an interview with Xinhua, Liu Xiaoming, China's Ambassador to the U.K., said, "I am glad to note that the 40th anniversary of China-U.K. full diplomatic relations has coincided with the 60 years of the British Queen's reign and the London Olympics. I am confident about the future of China-U.K. relations."

In a speech at the Chinese Embassy in the U.K., Ambassador Liu also said, "We have every reason to be confident because of the huge potential for cooperation in all fields. Our economies are highly complementary. We are both engaged in restructuring our economies. This has created enormous opportunities for bilateral trade and investment. Our commitment to expanding people-to-people links will also boost our cooperation in education, culture, science, and technology."

Sebastian Wood, Britain's Ambassador to China, said, "The U.K.-China relationship continues to become both stronger and deeper with every passing year. In our anniversary year, I express my warmest wishes to the Chinese people. The British Government is determined to further develop the extensive political, business, cultural, and educational links between our two nations."

Please click here, here, and here for additional media coverage on China and the U.K. celebrating 40 years of full diplomatic relations and here to access the full speech by Ambassador Liu.  

J.P. Morgan 1922-2012 - celebrating 90 years 'in China for China'

 

[Image courtesy of www.jpmorgan.com]

In January, CBI member J.P. Morgan announced that the J.P. Morgan China philanthropy team had partnered with one of the most popular opera performers in Beijing to teach nearly 100 children of migrant families about Peking Opera. Renowned opera performer Tan Zhengyan taught the children about the operatic tradition.

The session capped off a commemorative year for J.P. Morgan in China. In early 2011, J.P. Morgan celebrated its 90th anniversary of doing business in the country by hosting a Peking Opera concert in Beijing for 600 guests.

J.P. Morgan has supported children from migrant families in China since 2007 through educational programmes, community centre projects, and development programmes in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. In 2011, the firm committed to support an "Integrated National Training Programme" launched by the Half the Sky Foundation and the China Center for Child Welfare and Adoption, which provides childcare training to all staff members of 350 welfare institutes across China.

J.P. Morgan's strong commitment to the community in China has received considerable recognition, with the firm receiving the "Best Corporate Citizen Award" from the 21st Century Business Herald (the only financial institution selected for the award) and having its Peking Opera programme for migrant children being selected as an "Excellent Case Study of CSR" by the Philanthropy Times in December.

Please click here to read the full press release by J.P. Morgan.