[Image courtesy of www.europeanchamber.com]
Earlier this week the European Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC) released its European Business in China Business Confidence Survey (BCS) 2012.
Conducted by the EUCCC in cooperation with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, the survey provides an annual snapshot of European companies' successes and challenges in China. 557 respondents completed the survey this year.
Please click here to access the full report.
[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:
For more information on Helpdesk webinars and the simple registration process, please visit the following link and view our 2-page Quick Start Guide.
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[Image courtesy of www.airbus.com]
CBI member Airbus recently opened Airbus (Tianjin) Logistics in the Tianjin Free Trade Zone Comprehensive Bonded Area in northeastern China.
Through the establishment of its new logistics company in Tianjin, Airbus aims to optimise all transport and logistics activities related to Airbus in China as part of its worldwide supply chain.
A number of Chinese companies are directly involved in manufacturing parts and components for Airbus aircraft. Located in different cities across China, including Harbin, Shenyang, Tianjin, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai, these companies each have separate supply chains. The new logistics company in Tianjin will help create a more harmonized and streamlined supply chain that will reduce logistics costs and increase the efficiency of the Airbus production lines.
Laurence Barron, Airbus China President, said, "Airbus (Tianjin) Logistics will provide strong support to all industrial exchanges between China and the rest of the world, which are needed as a result of our expanding industrial activities in China. The Airbus logistics centre in Tianjin is another step forward in our cooperation with Tianjin, where we already have the A320 Family Final Assembly Line and Delivery Centre. This improvement in our logistics set-up will also support the production of the A350 XWB, of which five percent of the airframe will be manufactured in China."
Please click here to read the full press release by Airbus.
[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.
[Image courtesy of: www.bmw.com]
CBI member BMW Group sold more than 177,000 vehicles in mainland China in the first three quarters of 2011, surpassing its total sales in mainland China last year.
BMW delivered 165,669 BMW vehicles and 11,853 Mini cars to mainland China in the first nine months this year, up an impressive 45% and 60%, respectively.
BMW currently has around 250 dealerships in mainland China, up from about 200 at the beginning of 2011.
Please read more here.
[Image courtesy of www.airlinereporter.com]
CBI member Airbus recently delivered the first A380 to China Southern Airlines, the first out of five aircraft ordered by the Chinese airline. China Southern Airlines is the first operator of the highly eco-efficient aircraft in China and the seventh globally.
Powered by the Trent 900 engines manufactured by fellow CBI member Rolls-Royce, the A380 aircraft will initially be operated on domestic routes between the major Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. China Southern Airlines will later deploy the A380 on international routes.
Commenting on the delivery, Tom Enders, President and CEO of Airbus, said, "We offer China Southern Airlines our warmest welcome as the newest operator of the A380. The A380 has set new standards in comfort, economic efficiency and environmental performance. With the A380, China Southern Airlines will surely play a key role in the top league of the world's leading airlines."
Si Xianmen, Chairman of China Southern Airlines, said, "We are proud to become the first A380 operator in China. The introduction of the A380 in our fleet is a very important step for the development of China Southern. This most spacious and modern aircraft enables us to offer our passengers world-standard comfort on our flights. The economics offered by the A380 will undoubtedly improve our competitiveness on international routes and is the perfect asset to make China Southern Airlines achieve its goal of becoming a leading global carrier."
[Image courtesy of www.airbus.com]
Speaking at the China International Aviation Expo earlier this week, Eric Chen, senior vice-president of Airbus China, said that CBI member Airbus aims to increase its market share in China to 50% by 2015.
Airbus currently holds 46% of China's booming aviation sector, and will deliver more than 110 passenger planes to China in 2011, accounting for one-fifth of the company's total worldwide deliveries this year. As of 31 August, Airbus had already delivered 67 aircraft to China in the first eight months of the year.
According to figures released by the China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) earlier this week, Chinese airlines will add 4,583 passenger aircraft to their fleets over the next 20 years, creating huge opportunities for aircraft manufacturers worldwide.
Please read more here and here.
[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.
[Image courtesy of www.bmwgroup.com]
CBI member company BMW saw strong asian sales growth in the second quarter of 2011 with a total of 122,034 units (+61.2%) being sold in the PRC, accounting for 14.5% of its total sales volume.
Please read here for the BMW Group Press Release and here for further media coverage.
[Image courtesy of www.altsom.com]
CBI member Alstom, a world leader in transport infrastructure, power generation and transmission, and its local joint venture Shanghai Alstom Transport Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd. (SATEE) recently won a new €23 million contract by Nanjing Metro. Co. Ltd. (NMC) to supply the advanced traction system for Nanjing Metro Line 10.
Under the terms of the agreement, Alstom and SATEE will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, testing, commission and warranty, as well as the maintenance and spare parts for the traction system of 126 metro cars.
Scheduled to be launched in June 2014, Nanjing Line 10 will form an integral part of Nanjing's system of public transportation and span the Yangtze River when completed, with 14 stations covering a total length of up to 21.6 kilometres. Alstom has already made significant contributions to public transport in Nanjing, having supplied the city with more than 450 metro cars.
Commenting on the new deal, Dominique Pouliquen, President of Alstom Transport Asia Pacific and Alstom China Country President, said, "This is a significant contract for Alstom as it shows Nanjing Metro's continued confidence in Alstom and SATEE. Today, SATEE has become a leading supplier for traction systems in the country through Alstom's strong localisation and commitment in increasing SATEE's R&D and engineering capabilities."
Ling Fang, Managing Director of Alstom Transport China, said, "Nanjing Metro Line 10 will shorten the travel time between the city centre and Pukou District, providing easier mobility for passengers in the area. Upon signing the traction contract of Nanjing Metro Line 10, Alstom has made one step further in consolidating the Nanjing metro market."
Please click here to read the full press release by Alstom
