China Direct

2012 China Regional Cities Programme Q1

 

[Image courtesy of www.ukti.gov.uk]

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) recently released the dates for the next phase of its Regional Cities Programme in China.

The schedule of the missions is as follows: Zhengzhou and Wuhan (20-22 February 2012), Nantong and Yancheng (27-29 February 2012), Kunming (23-24 February 2012), Chongqing (05-06 March 2012), Hangzhou and Ningbo (07-09 March 2012), and Foshan and Shunde (28-29 March 2012).

These missions will offer an excellent introduction to these cities and the opportunities that they offer.

Participants in the missions will enjoy:

     • Access to high-level officials
     • Business workshops
     • Knowledge about specific opportunities

Please click here for full details on the mission to Nantong and Yancheng and here for the mission to Hangzhou and Ningbo.

CBI member Lafarge cements its reputation in Chongqing

 
[Image courtesy of www.lafarge.com]

CBI member Lafarge recently opened its first Sustainable Construction Lab in Chongqing in southwestern China.

Located at Lafarge Shui On's Nanshan plant in Chongqing, the new lab develops new and advanced construction materials products and solutions for its customers in China. The 1,000 square metre facility is an extension of Lafarge's R&D Centre in Lyon and the first of its kind opened worldwide in the Lafarge Group.

Lafarge also signed an alliance agreement with Chongqing University which will focus on developing innovative construction materials and final products. The new partnership will include training and research programmes with PhD students.

Lafarge devotes more than €150 million each year to R&D of technology and innovation in products, systems, and industrial processes, with more than 60% of this budget dedicated to sustainable construction.

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

2012 UK Now - the UK's largest arts festival in China - dates for your diary

 

[Image courtesy of www.britishcouncil.org.cn]

Dear CBI members,

We are delighted to let you know that UK Now, the biggest British arts festival in China ever, will be held next year between April and November, featuring hundreds of world-class events in 15 cities across China.

Key goals of UK Now include showcasing the quality, diversity, breadth, and innovation of artistic Britain and celebrating China and the UK as consecutive hosts of the Olympic Games.

Please find attached below a bilingual overview of UK Now.

Download UK Now fast facts EN & CN

UK Now's events programme will be wide-ranging and inclusive, covering all the art forms. Events will include exhibitions, concerts, performances, talks, workshops, collaborative projects, online activities, competitions, etc.

UK Now is sponsored by CBI members including British Airways, Burberry, Diageo, HSBC, InterContinental Hotels Group, Norton Rose, Prudential, and Standard Chartered.

For more information about UK Now please contact either Ms. Hannah Douglas or Ms. Sam Christie.

hannah.douglas@britishcouncil.org.cn tel: 00 86 10 65906903 ext 362

sam.christie@britishcouncil.org.cn tel: 00 86 10 65906903 ext 266  

Opportunities for UK businesses in China Regional Cities Report

 

The China-Britain Business Council and the Centre for International Business at CBI member The University of Leeds have prepared an updated research report on 'Opportunities for UK Businesses in China's Regional Cities' on behalf of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

The original report, published in September 2008, focused on the market expansion and development of China's regional cities and the relevance of this to British businesses.

However, the last three years have seen major changes to the international economic landscape, with the global financial crisis and UK recession having a deep impact on British businesses and their internationalisation prospects.

The new report presents the findings of research conducted this year.

Please click here to access the latest version of the 'Opportunities for UK Businesses in China's Regional Cities' report.

 

CBI Member Ford continues to motor in China

 

 
[Image courtesy of www.ford.com] 

Earlier this week, CBI member Ford Motor announced that sales for Ford-brand passenger vehicles in China rose 40% in September compared to August, with 28,669 wholesale units sold.

Ford China has already sold 385,957 wholesale units so far this year, up 10% compared to the first three quarters of 2010.

Commenting on Ford's rapidly growing sales in China, Joe Hinrichs, chairman and CEO of Ford China and president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, said, "China accounts for 60% of our Asia Pacific and Africa sales now and will be a leading part of our sales growth in the next decade. Ford's growth plan is now in high gear. By 2015 we will have 15 new vehicles in China that offer a full line-up of high-quality, safe, fuel-efficient vehicles with smart technologies that Chinese consumers want and value."

Earlier this year, Ford introduced its patented turbo-direct injection EcoBoost technology to China, which provides up to a 20% better fuel economy and a 15% reduction in emissions in petrol engines.

To date, Ford and its partners have invested $3.5 billion in China. Most recently, Ford and its Chinese partner Changan Automobile Group launched construction of a new $350 million transmission plant in Chongqing in southwestern China.

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

European Business in China - 2011/2 Position Paper launch

 

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

Yesterday, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC) released its 2011/2012 Position Paper, which provides an overview of the views of many European companies doing business in China.

The Position Paper is the product of six months of consultation, which involved hundreds of companies and individuals from European businesses operating across China.

The report includes chapters on a wide range of sectors, including aviation, construction, information and communication technology, logistics, maritime transport, travel, banking & securities, insurance, private equity, etc.

The report also includes chapters on numerous cities and regions across China, including Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanjing, the Pearl River Delta, Shanghai, Shenyang and Tianjin.

Highlights from the 2011/2012 Position Paper include:

     • China's strategic importance for global companies is rapidly increasing.
     • Key goals outlined in China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) such as upgrading the industrial 
       sector, developing the service sector and encouraging innovation and green development match the 
       strengths of European companies in managerial know-how, the provision of services and green 
       and advanced technology.
     • The Position Paper brings together a significant number of recommendations for both Chinese and 
       European policymakers.

The CBI, together with the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) , is organising the launch of the Position Paper in London on 22 September, which will be hosted by leading global insurance broker and CBI member Willis Group.

Pleease click here to read the Executive Summary of the Position Paper and here to access the full report.

CBI Member AMEC wins major Chemical Project in Chongqing

 
[Image courtesy of www.amec.com]

CBI member AMEC, the international engineering and project management company, has been appointed by BASF Polyurethane (Chongqing) Company Limited and Chongqing Chemical and Pharmaceutical (Group) Holding Company Limited (CCPHC) as the project management contractor for the development of a new 400,000-tonnes-per-year MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) facility at Changshou, Chongqing, China.

This state-of-the-art facility will form the centre of an integrated chemical production complex operated by the Changshou Economic & Technological Development Zone. MDI is the main raw material used for the production of polyurethanes.

The value of AMEC's multi-million dollar three-year contract has not been announced but the overall capital cost of the complex will be over US$ 5 billion.

AMEC's role is to provide project management services and interface coordination in relation to the CCPHC and BASF facilities as part of an integrated project management team.

“The award and successful execution of this significant project will further strengthen AMEC's position as the leading provider of project management services in China,” said Ross Gibson, Regional Director of AMEC's China operations. “We are proud that AMEC has been selected to help deliver this project to the highest safety, environmental and low carbon emission standards.”

UK Visas and China - latest updates for business

 

The British Embassy in Beijing held a very useful workshop on UK visa applications yesterday at the UK Visa Application Centre in Beijing.

There are a number of different visa routes available to enter the UK for business and work purposes, including business visit visas, long-term visit visas, the Points-Based System including visas for highly skilled workers, intra-company transfers, investors and entrepreneurs.

Detailed guidance on each visa route is available on the UK Border Agency website at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas.

When submitting a UK visa application, applicants should be aware of the following:

     • Applications are only accepted in English (translated guidance available online)
     • Applicants are responsible for proving that they meet the rules/points of their application (checklist 
       available online)
     • If you submit a forged document or lie on the application form, you will be refused and banned from 
       making any further application for 10 years.
     • The UKBA has set the target of processing non-settlement applications in 15 working days.

The UKBA also operates the Business Fast Track (BFT) scheme in China.

The BFT scheme is currently free to join, and members enjoy a priority service. Visa applications for BFT members are normally returned in three to five working days.

Business visit visa applications sponsored by a BFT member require minimal paperwork whilst long-term business visit visas of up to five years are available without the need for the applicant to have previously travelled to the UK.

BFT members can submit their application at any of the UKBA's Visa Application Centres across China.

To join the Business Fast Track scheme, your company must:

     1. Have sent 10 people to the UK in the previous 12 months

     2. And must be either:

          • a UK company with a presence in China
          • a multi-national company
          • a Chinese company which is an investor in the UK 
          • a university which is partnered with a UK university, OR
          • be recommended for membership by the British Chamber of Commerce, 
            China-Britain Business Council, Confederation of British Industry or UK Trade & Investment.

For more details of how to join the scheme and an application pack, please email:
businessfasttrack.beijing@fco.gov.uk

Applicants for UK visas should also be aware that applications during the May-August period will take longer to process than during the rest of the year as this is the busiest time for the UKBA.

Applicants should always submit their applications in plenty of time, especially in the summer.

For full details on each visa route, please visit the UK Border Agency’s website here.

China's hydro strategy - damned?

 

 
[Three Gorges Image courtesy of www.topnews.in]

China Direct would like to apologise to its readers for only contributing 2 articles this week on account of a visit to Japan. CD will also be in the UK for the next 2 weeks however will endeavour to keep China content flowing.

Today's piece looks at the very topical issue of the Three Gorges Dam and China's devastating drought - the worst in more than fifty years - with huge policy implications for the next generation of China's leadership.

China Direct would like to thank The Week In China for this article.

Download Return of the Dambusters 03.06.11

Manpower's China Employment Survey 2011 Q2 Summary

 

 
[image courtesy of www.manpower.com.cn]

China Direct hopes that you find CBI member Manpower's Employment Survey trends for the second quarter of 2011 useful.

Please review the summary below.

Download 2011Q2_MEOS_EN

Our thanks to Manpower China for kindly providing this information to our members.