China Direct

Celebrating CBI Member Success in China May 2012

 

Please find attached our monthly briefing “Celebrating CBI member success in China” for May, covering 42 members.

Members covered include:

   

• ABB
• Airbus
• Alliance Boots
• ANZ
• Arup
• Atkins
• Benoy
• Boeing
• Burson-Marsteller
• Cardiff University
• Clifford Chance
• The Coca-Cola Company
• DHL
• Everything Everywhere
• Ford Motor Company
• Foster + Partners
• Fuji Xerox
• Gatwick Airport
• GE
• GKN
• GSK
• Herbert Smith
• HSBC
• IHG
• Jones Lang LaSalle
• King’s College London
• London Stock Exchange
• M&S
• Mott MacDonald
• Newcastle University
• News Corporation
• Nottingham Trent University
• Pfizer
• Philips
• Pinsent Masons
• Rio Tinto
• RBS
• Shell
• Siemens

Download CBI China, Celebrating CBI member success in China, May 2012

 

 

 

2011-12 British Business Climate Survey in China - Summary

 

[Images courtesy of www.cbbc.org and www.britishchamber.cn]

The CBI would like to thank our partners at the CBBC and British Chamber of Commerce in Beijing for sharing the findings of the 2011-12 British Business Climate Survey in China.

The results of the 2012 Business Climate Survey indicate increasing optimism about the outlook for revenue growth in 2012. The survey clearly demonstrates the growing importance of China to many companies as a driver of corporate growth, evidenced by plans to increase investments in China this year.

However, companies continue to acknowledge the complexity of the operating environment, especially in terms of rising labour costs, increasing local competition and the ongoing challenges of IPR & legal enforcement, protectionism and bureaucracy.

 Despite this, most UK companies remain confident about the outlook for their business in China.

 The key messages that arise from this survey are the following:

 

• Despite worries over the global economic outlook and rising domestic competition, performance in 2011 was generally positive with the majority of respondents seeing an increase in revenue.

 

• China remains a key market, with the majority of respondents planning an increase in investment and remaining positive in their expectations for the coming year.

 

• Human resource issues continue to be a substantial challenge for business, with members tackling increasing labour costs and problems attracting and retaining skilled staff.

 

• Whilst domestic competition still struggles to compete in terms of technical innovation and management expertise, they showed significant improvement in marketing and branding.

 

• The key business challenges facing those in the China market continue to be bureaucracy, securing licences and protecting intellectual property.

 

• Despite intellectual property rights being cited as an important factor in China operations, the number of infringements that actually harmed operations was relatively low.

 

To download the full survey please click below:

Download 2012_china_business_climate_survey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of London launches RMB Centre initiative

 

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

Yesterday, CBI member The City of London launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening London’s position as the leading western hub for international renminbi (RMB) business.

The initiative will help deliver a private and public sector strategy for London to become a centre for RMB products and services, complementing Hong Kong and other financial centres.

Current members of the initiative are Bank of China, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, and Standard Chartered, with observers from HM Treasury, the Bank of England, and the Financial Services Authority.

The initiative seeks to provide leadership to the wider financial markets on technical, infrastructure, and regulatory issues relating to the RMB product and services in London. In addition, it advises HM Treasury on maximising London's capacity to trade, clear, and settle RMB, and articulates practical next steps and long-term aims for the further development of the RMB market in London. The group also advises HM Treasury and other U.K. authorities on any financial stability concerns that members may perceive.

The first report published by the initiative highlights the RMB products and services currently available in London and the volume of business transacted in London in 2011.

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said, "I welcome this initiative, which will further strengthen London's development as the leading western hub for the international renminbi market. As the world's leading financial centre, London is uniquely well placed to assist China in its goal of further expanding the international use of the RMB.

"Today's report also provides some clear pointers for the market's future development, and, with the strong support of the Government, I am confident that London's private sector will rise to tomorrow's challenges."

Stuart Fraser, Chairman of the initiative's Steering Committee and Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, said, "As the world's leading global financial centre, London is perfectly positioned to act as the western hub for RMB as exchange controls are gradually relaxed. London has many natural advantages, including: time-zone, a trusted legal system, a respected regulatory framework, deep pools of liquidity, and a strong track record of innovation. We are also home to global institutions that have expertise in utilising RMB-denominated products and services to benefit clients by facilitating trade with China. This will increase exports and help deliver jobs and growth in the U.K. and Europe."

Please click here to read the full press release by the City of London and to access the initiative's first report.  

CBI Member Success Stories March 2012

 

[Image courtesy of www.cbi.org.uk]

A number of CBI members were busy raising their profile in China in March, engaging in many exciting activities across a wide range of industries.

Members covered include: 

• 3i
• ABB
• Atkins
• Bentley
• Boeing
• BNY Mellon
• BP
• Burson-Marsteller
• Clifford Chance
• Diageo
• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
• Fuji Xerox
• GKN
• HSBC
• INEOS
• InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
• Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
• Jones Lang LaSalle
• J.P. Morgan
• Nike
• Pearson
• Penguin
• Pinsent Masons
• Procter & Gamble
• Research in Motion (RIM)
• Shell
• Siemens
• Simmons & Simmons
• Thales
• Unilever
• University of Nottingham
• Willis

Please click here to access our latest briefing, which highlights the recent successes of 32 CBI members.

The briefing can also be accessed below:

Download CBI China, Celebrating CBI member success in China, March 2012

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.

National People's Congress 2012 - an analysis

 

[Image courtesy of www.apcoworldwide.com/china]

China Direct would like to thank CBI member APCO for kindly providing the following analysis of the recently convened annual National People's Congress in Beijing.

For more information and analysis please download below.

Download NPC_2012

Thank you.

UK Company Willis to be first global broker to open in Chongqing

 

[Image courtesy of www.willis.com]

CBI member Willis recently announced that the Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) granted it approval to open a new office in Chongqing in southwestern China, marking a first for a foreign-owned broker and Willis' 21st office in the country.

Commenting on the new office, Willis China CEO Mitchell Ma said, "As Chongqing, and indeed China, continue to grow at pace, so too do the risk management requirements of their commercial sectors. This move will enable us to be close to our clients and markets so that we can fully understand their challenges and provide them with the best quality services, backed by Willis' global resources.

"We are proud to open an office in this very important city and appreciate the support that we have had from CIRC in approving our application. In return, we will do our best to bring added value and new services to Chongqing to play our part in the further development of the regional insurance market."

Willis, which has the largest branch network of any international broker in China, employs 330 Associates specialising in offering risk management and insurance services to medium- and large-sized enterprises in China.

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

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.

CBI member RBS sets up new China desk in London

 

[Image courtesy of www.rbs.com]

Earlier this week CBI member The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) announced the launch of a new China Desk in London, which will provide a hub to help companies in mainland China expand their business internationally and to help companies throughout Europe do business with China.

The China Desk will offer expertise and guidance across the market, including regulatory insight and product support.

Janet Ming, who most recently was head of Corporate Sales for RBS China and based in Shanghai, will lead the China Desk in London.

Ms. Ming said, "Few Chinese banks have the network or capabilities to serve their clients who wish to expand internationally. Research tells us that Chinese corporates are more comfortable if there is dedicated coverage in their destination market."

Commenting on the China Desk, Scott Barton, Co-CEO of International Banking for RBS, said, "The launch of our China Desk creates a hub in London to help our clients in Europe in taking advantage of the growth opportunities in one of the world's most robust economies. It also opens up our global network of 36 countries to our Chinese clients. As China becomes the largest trade partner to the European Union (EU), we are pleased to be able to leverage our strong network to help our Chinese clients further expand their businesses into the EU."

In 2011, RBS won a number of industry awards in China, including being recognised by The Economic Observer China Excellence Bank Awards in 2011 for Excellence in Offshore RMB Banking, being recognised by CFO World's "Most Reliable Banks in the Eyes of Chinese CEOs" for Best Trade Finance Award, and winning Best Foreign Bank on Cash Management from Treasury China Awards 2011.

Please click here to read the full press release by RBS and here for additional media coverage.

CBI member success stories in China Feb 2012

 

[Image courtesy of www.cbi.org.uk]

February 2012 was a bumper month for CBI members in China with at least 29 (matching the leap day!) confirmed successes that China Direct is aware of.

Member contributions came from:

• ABB
• Accenture
• Alstom
• Arup
• BAA
• BBC
• Benoy
• BMW
• BP
• Burberry
• Clifford Chance
• Devro
• Ernst & Young
• Eversheds
• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
• Herbert Smith
• HSBC
• IHG
• INEOS
• J.P. Morgan
• Pfizer
• McKinsey
• Nike
• RBS
• Standard Chartered
• Thales
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Leeds
• WPP

China Direct would like to say a huge thank you to all of our members for their contributions and also to Ben Cooper at the CBI's Beijing office for patiently collating the information.

Please find our Feb 2012 summary below:

Download CBI China, Celebrating member success in China, February 2012