China Direct

Applications open for 2016 British Business Awards

 

On 14 April, the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai announced the launch of the 2016 British Business Awards (BBA) at the InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin.

The BBA was established in 2008, is held every two years, and has developed into a key event recognising and promoting excellence in innovation, enterprise, and endeavour in the British business community in China.

The eight award categories are as follows: British Company of the Year, Chinese Investor of the Year, Education Institution Partnership of the Year, New Business Award, Best Services Award, Sustainable Business Award, Creative Industry Award, and Innovation Award.

Applications for the BBA are accepted from April through to July, with the application deadline on 26 July. All applications must be made through the official website www.britishbusinessawards.cn.

Judges will review applications and select five finalists for each award category, who will be announced at the finalist announcement event. Interviews will be conducted in September, and the final award winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner held on 10 November 2016 in Shanghai.

Please read more here.

CBI Reaction to UK Budget - March 2016

CBI FULL REACTION TO MARCH 2016 BUDGET

The CBI has responded to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget.

CBI Director-General, Carolyn Fairbairn, said:

“After a year of surprises, this was a stable Budget for business facing global stormy waters.  The Chancellor has listened to our concerns about the mounting burden on firms and chosen to back business to grow the economy out of the deficit.

“Businesses will welcome the Chancellor’s permanent reforms to business rates – taking more small firms out of the regime and changing the uprating mechanism from RPI to CPI, which the CBI has long been calling for.

“The reduction in the headline Corporation Tax rate sends out a strong signal that the UK is open for global business investment, and reforms to Interest Deductibility are rightly in line with international consensus.

“Changes to the tax treatment of losses will make it harder for larger scale-up firms and companies that have been through tough times to play their part in the recovery. 

“Progress on some key infrastructure projects, from HS3 to 5G, are positive.  Investors and companies will be encouraged by the greater clarity and simplification of the Government’s energy policy.”

On infrastructure

“It’s good to see Government preparing the way for the next generation of major UK infrastructure upgrades. Preparation is essential for these projects so that once we take the decision to build we are able to avoid any delays.

“With the digital revolution in full swing, mobile connectivity is one of its key drivers. The decision to follow the advice of CBI members by prioritising 5G on the agenda of the National Infrastructure Commission is a welcome step in fulfilling the UK’s digital ambitions.”

On regional growth

“Devolution is continuing apace in both rural and urban areas, with positive new announcements from East Anglia to the West of England.  As a key player in the Northern Powerhouse, much of Yorkshire remains notably absent from these deals.

“It will be important for both central and local Government to focus on creating economic growth.  Success will rely on a new era of co-operation between Ministers, local leaders and firms of all sizes and sectors.”  

On business rates

“In addition to small firms being taken out of the regime and changes to the uprating mechanism, all companies will welcome more frequent revaluations, which the CBI has long been calling for.”

On support for growing businesses

“The Budget included a number of useful measures to encourage entrepreneurship and growth, particularly cuts to capital gains tax and the extension of Entrepreneurs’ Relief.  New allowances for micro-entrepreneurs will encourage participation in the sharing economy and encourage the growth of new and innovative platforms.”

On energy policy

“The CBI called for the regulatory landscape for business energy efficiency to be simplified.  So this is a positive step, focusing efforts on investment and not compliance.

“Extending the current level of the Carbon Price Support in the short term is sensible, as is the commitment to clarify long-term plans for this tax later this year.

“Support for the oil and gas industry is positive – helping key UK employers facing very challenging operating conditions.”

On sugar tax

“Businesses recognise that more needs to be done to tackle childhood obesity.  This new ‘sugar tax’ will require proper consultation on how it will work and companies will want assurances that this approach doesn’t represent the thin edge of the wedge. 

“Building on the steps they are already taking to reduce sugar in their products, the industry will continue to engage with the Government on effective strategies to address this issue.”

On productivity

“Companies will be surprised to see no further measures to support innovation and R&D in this Budget.  Manufacturers in particular will be looking for further details in the Government’s upcoming National Innovation Plan.”

On pensions

“Providing high quality saving for retirement requires support from companies.  The Chancellor was right to heed CBI advice and step back from damaging changes to the pensions tax system, and to extend the support available to firms who choose to offer financial advice to their staff.”

On education

“Improving education is the most effective way to raise living standards and businesses will welcome the move to ensure Maths is taught up to the age of 18.

“Freeing up schools to innovate is a move in the right direction, but changes to structures alone will not deliver better outcomes for pupils and schools.

“Extra investment for apprenticeships will only help the small minority for firms who will be able to spend their whole levy. Businesses remain concerned that only a year away from the introduction of the levy, there is little clarity about how the system will work.”

16 March 2016

Notes to Editors

Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors. The CBI’s corporate members together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of private sector-employees. With offices in the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.

Visit the Great Business Debate website - a CBI led campaign to help build public confidence in business.

Media Contact:

CBI Press Office is available 24 hours a day on 0207 395 8239, or email: press.office@cbi.org.uk. Follow the CBI (@CBItweets) on Twitter.

Bianca D'Orsi Corporate communications adviser CBI ______________________________________________________

D: +44 (0)20 7395 8247 | M: +44 (0)7469 155 328 CBI | Cannon Place | 78 Cannon Street | London | EC4N 6HN www.cbi.org.uk

 

Celebrating CBI Member Success in China: February 2016

A very happy New Year of the Monkey to our members and partners!

The following CBI members were busy being successful in China in Feb 2016:

• Arup
• Aston Martin
• AstraZeneca
• Atkins
• BBC
• Birmingham City University
• Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business
• Clifford Chance
• Croda
• Deloitte
• DLA Piper
• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
• Grant Thornton
• Heathrow Airport Limited
• Huawei
• InterContinental Hotels Group
• Jaguar Land Rover
• James Cropper
• Linklaters
• Rolls-Royce
• Royal Mail Group
• Simmons & Simmons
• UBM

Download CBI China, U.K.-China Monthly Roundup, February 2016

Focus on Chengdu - CBI China Regional City Series

 

 

 Chengdu

Ambassador Woodward visits Chengdu: In November 2015, Barbara Woodward paid her first solo visit to Chengdu as British Ambassador to China. During her visit, she met with the Executive Vice Governor of Sichuan and the Mayor of Chengdu, visited the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and delivered a speech on joint efforts to a green and low carbon future, visited West China Hospital (the second-largest hospital in China) and promised to invite more of the UK’s healthcare organisations to Go West, and participated in an Empowering Women event to share her personal experiences with female university students on her own growth and career development.

UK Chancellor visits Chengdu: In September 2015, UK Chancellor George Osborne announced a major milestone for the government’s High Speed 2 rail project (HS2), kick-starting the bidding process for phase one of the mega construction project. At least seven new contracts will be opened up to companies, with a total combined value of £11.8 billion.

The Chancellor made the announcement at an event in Chengdu, aimed at wooing some of China’s biggest investors to be part of the project as well as a raft of other major UK infrastructure projects. The Chancellor also showcased a selection of £24 billion worth of investment opportunities in the North of England at the event in Chengdu.

The Chancellor said there are unprecedented opportunities for Chinese investment into the Northern Powerhouse. Infrastructure and regeneration investment projects such as the Atlantic Gateway and Science Central, a cutting-edge development in the heart of Newcastle, were set out in a new Northern Pitchbook that was presented in Chengdu.

Other facts/figures on Chengdu and Sichuan province

Nearly 100 UK companies registered in Sichuan: There are now 94 UK companies registered and doing business in Chengdu and Sichuan province – nine of the 94 are in the world’s top 500 companies – in sectors ranging from financial and professional services, aerospace, engineering, construction, and manufacturing.

China’s fifth most populous city: Chengdu is China’s fifth most populous city 

High levels of foreign investment: In the first four months of 2015, Chengdu received US$1.2 billion in contracted foreign investment, up 150% compared to the same period in 2014.

Strong concentration of MNCs: There are over 265 Fortune 500 companies with businese in Chengdu. 

Key industries: Key industries in Chengdu include pharmaceuticals, food processing, automotive, aerospace, and metallurgy, finance, ICT, retail, petrochemical, and tourism.

Examples of CBI members in Sichuan province:  

Atkins:

 

 

In November 2015, the Seaton Plaza, Atkins’ first mixed-use development in Chengdu, opened for business.

• In June 2013, Atkins completed the landscape design for the waterfront in Mianyang, Sichuan province, creating leisure space for the public and interlinking various commercial and residential developments.
• In May 2012, Atkins was commissioned to draw up the Guidelines for the Chengdu North City Regeneration project.

 

• Benoy: In January 2014, Benoy announced the opening of Chengdu International Finance Square.

 

• BP: In October 2015, BP and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), in an expansion of their global partnership, entered into a framework agreement on strategic cooperation covering potential shale gas exploration and production in the Sichuan Basin and future fuel retailing ventures in China and other international partnerships.

 

• British Airways: In 2013, British Airways launched its direct service between Chengdu and London.

 

• Deloitte: In October 2013, Deloitte opened its Chengdu office.

 

• Diageo: In July 2013, Diageo received approval from Chinese authorities to acquire the remaining 47% stake in Sichuan Chengdu Shuijingfang Group Co. Ltd. owned by its Chinese partners.

 

• PwC: In May 2015, PwC opened its Chengdu office.

 

• Shell: In March 2012, Shell and China National Petroleum Corporation signed a Production Sharing Contract for shale gas exploration, development, and production in the Fushun-Yongchuan block in Sichuan province.

 

• UBM: In August 2015, UBM’s second edition of HOTELEX Chengdu Exhibition, organised by UBM China and undertook by the Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition Co. Ltd. and the Sichuan Province Hotel Supplies Industry Association, was held in Chengdu.

HMA Barbara Woodward visits SW China

 

 

Following the U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer’s visit in September, Barbara Woodward paid her first solo visit to Chengdu as British Ambassador to China on 19-20 November.

 

During her visit, Ambassador Woodward met the Executive Vice Governor of Sichuan province, Wang Ning, and the Mayor of Chengdu, Tang Liangzhi, and exchanged views on the U.K.-Sichuan/Chengdu bilateral relationships. In her meetings, the Ambassador highlighted President Xi’s successful state visit to the U.K. in October.

 

She also discussed the Chancellor’s visit to Chengdu in September in which he introduced the Northern Powerhouse. In addition, the Ambassador visited the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and delivered a speech on the U.K.-China Golden Age: Joint Efforts to a Green and Low Carbon Future to hundreds of students to highlight the U.K.’s and China’s cooperation on clean energy, smart cities, and other areas of low carbon development.

 

She also visited the Gerontology Department and the Tele-health Department of West China Hospital, the second-largest hospital in China. She promised to invite more of the U.K.’s healthcare organisations to Go West and to expand cooperation with West China Hospital and across Sichuan in developing new hospitals, in delivering education and training, and in informatics, telemedicine, and elderly care.

 

The Ambassador also participated in an Empowering Women: Growing Your Career Talk at Fangsuo Bookstore to share her personal experiences with female university students on her own growth and career development.

 

There are now more than 94 U.K. companies registered and doing business in Chengdu and Sichuan—nine of the 94 are in the world’s top 500 companies—in sectors ranging from financial and professional services, aerospace, engineering, construction, and manufacturing.

 

Please read more here.

University of Nottingham Ningbo China secures RMB 5.6 million for eco-friendly and “smart” building technologies

CBI member The University of Nottingham announced that the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) had secured RMB 5.6 million to help the Chinese construction industry use eco-friendly and “smart” building technologies.

China’s building industry currently lags behind many other industrial nations, with low production efficiency and high energy usage affecting many new-build properties. The current situation could delay the progress of Chinese “smart” cities, which aim to reduce resource consumption and cost and use digital technologies to benefit their citizens.

In a bid to tackle the issue, UNNC’s Department of Architecture and Built Environment is now leading a “GIS-BIM Based Green Smart Building Technical Innovation Team”, with support from the Ningbo Science and Technology Bureau.

The innovation team comprises 22 researchers from UNNC (from Built Environment, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and Geographical Sciences), local design institutes, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) consulting companies in Ningbo.

The team will also invite the Ningbo construction industry’s governing body to provide resources, pilot projects, and platforms to inform the research. Over the next three years, the innovation team will explore the potential of Geographic Information System (GIS) and BIM technologies and how they can be integrated into local construction practices in Ningbo. GIS is a technical system to implement the collection, storage, management, calculation, analysis, display, and description of geospatial information data.

The results help to understand what is happening in geographical space, which can increase efficiency in building planning and design. BIM is a growing technology used in the building industry worldwide. It uses digital technics to create and use intelligent 3D models to communicate building project decisions.

In 2015, China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announced suggestions of BIM implementation. Shanghai even set a clear timeline for the promotion of BIM, which would be started in pubic-funded projects. UNNC’s team aims to devise a platform to handle database management, modelling management, smart operation management, and lifecycle monitoring management.

Information extraction, storage, transfer, and modifications will be completed quickly on the platform and updated in the network cloud system to synchronise with smart terminals. At the end of the project, the team plans to pilot the platform on construction projects in Ningbo and to share BIM development recommendations with relevant government departments to benefit the Ningbo-based construction industry and support the future of its smart cities.

Please read more here.

CBI Summary of President Xi UK Visit Oct 2015

Dear CBI members and partners,

Please find below an executive summary of President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to the UK.

A detailed and comprehensive report can be downloaded at the bottom of this article.

Headlines:

From 20-23 October, President Xi Jinping made his state visit to the UK—the first by a Chinese president in a decade—where he was welcomed with a remarkable display of pomp, pageantry, and fanfare from the British government and Royal Family.

●Huge Chinese delegation accompanies President Xi: President Xi was accompanied by 150 Chinese business leaders, and almost 1,000 people are estimated to have travelled from China to the UK to participate in the state visit.

●Grand culmination of a very special year for UK-China relations:

Widely touted by both sides to usher in a ‘golden era’ for the bilateral relationship, the state visit marked the grand culmination of what has been a very special year for the UK-China relationship.

Key milestones in the build-up to the visit including the first ever UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange, the Duke of Cambridge’s historic outing to China in March, the UK becoming the first Western European country to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s visit to China as well as the UK-China People-to-People Dialogue last month.

●Three primary themes underpinning state visit:

The state visit was underpinned by three primary themes—signalling the openness of the UK economy to Chinese business, working together on pressing global issues, and looking to each other as ‘economies of the future’ with the growing complementarity of the UK and Chinese economies.

●Nearly £40 billion worth of agreements: 

Almost £40 billion worth of commercial deals were agreed upon, spanning a wide range of sectors, such as energy, retail, financial services, aerospace, healthcare, transport, education, the creative industries, and more.

Several examples of key announcements included:

1. BP’s multi-billion dollar LNG deal with Huadian

2. Manchester Airport’s plans to host the first direct scheduled flights to mainland China outside of London.

3. Rolls-Royce’s US$2.4 billion agreement to power HNA Group’s new aircraft.

4. EDF and China General Nuclear Power Corporation’s commitment to the construction and operation of the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

5. Aston Martin and China Equity’s agreement to explore the development of a production version of Aston Martin’s fully electric RapidE concept.

●Widening the scope of bilateral relations:

The visit showcased the extent to which the UK is striving to build a very broad relationship with China—stretching beyond mere trade and investment—and lay the foundation for robust ties across the government, society, and business communities.

Download CBI China, President Xi Jinping's UK state visit, October 2015

UK Business Delegation attends 5th Eurasia Expo in Xinjiang

 

 

A selection of UK businesses, CBI, The China Britain Business Council, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), The British Chamber (Beijing Chapter) and UK Embassy representatives this week attended the 5th Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, Xinjiang Province.

In addition to meetings with senior local officials - including a private session with Shohrat Zakir, Governor of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) - the delegation participated at the launch of the Great British Brands Festival (GBBF) at the British pavilion at the EXPO site. The GBBF is the fifth to be held in China in 2015 and the first to take place in Xinjiang. 

More than 23 British brands were on display at the GBBF ranging from innovative British company OHYO (www.ohyo.me) (a London based manufacturer of collapsible water bottles) to the iconic AGA cooker kitchenware brand.

 

CBI member companies attending the delegation included Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), Unilever, Atkins, PwC and DLA Piper.

The Chinese Government's "One Belt One Road" strategy, promulgated in 2013, seeks to revitalize the ancient silk road and develop trade ties with Central Asia and NW China. There are corresponding opportunities for UK companies to provide their expertise in urban planning, design, logistics, oil and gas, low carbon, renewable energy, retail and professional services to Urumqi and the region.

 

BP celebrates official start-up of Zhuhai PTA 3 Plant

 

CBI member BP celebrated the official start-up of the Phase 3 PTA plant of Zhuhai Chemical Co., enhancing its position in the purified terephthalic acid (PTA) market and its long-term commitment to China. BP Zhuhai, in which BP and Zhuhai Port Co. hold an 85% and 15% respectively, is the leading Sino-foreign joint venture producing and marketing PTA in China.

The completed Phase 3 plant, with a design production capacity of 1.25 million tonnes per year, is the world’s largest single train PTA unit.

Commenting on the investment in Zhuhai, Edward Yang, President of BP China, said, “BP Zhuhai is a good example of our long-term commitment in Guangdong province, which accounts for a large proportion of our investment in China.

We look forward to playing a greater and more active role in the progression of the ‘Green Guangdong Agenda’ by providing our significant experience and expertise in clean energy and energy efficiency.”

Please read more here.

 

U.K. celebrates 15 years of its diplomatic presence in Southwest China

 

In early June, the British Consulate-General in Chongqing hosted receptions in Chongqing and Chengdu to mark the Queen’s Birthday and the 15^th anniversary of the British Consulate-General in Southwest China.

The British Consulate-General in Chongqing was established on 01 March 2000. Throughout the past 15 years, it has been actively engaged in a wide spectrum of areas, playing a vital role in overseas exchanges in the region.

Since the establishment of the Consulate-General, it has worked closely with local partners to strengthen links in trade and investment, culture and art, science and innovation, climate change and energy, achieving great success.

In December 2013, Prime Minister David Cameron led a business delegation to visit Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, helping British business leaders better understand the region, and thus promoting closer relationships between the U.K. and Southwest China.

In recent years, British companies have done well in Southwest China, particularly in the urbanisation sector and in architectural and engineering design, with a number landmark buildings in the region having been designed by British companies.

Famous local companies, such as Chang’an and Chongqing Machinery and Electric Co. Ltd. (CQME) have established themselves in the U.K. The U.K. has also worked with local partners to promote carbon capture and storage technology, carbon trading, and collaboration on shale gas.

In 2014, the U.K. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Chongqing Development and Reform Commission on strengthening co-operation in climate change and energy, which has laid a solid foundation for future collaborative work in this area.

The U.K. government’s cultural and education section has also achieved great success in the region through a range of teachers’ training, school link-ups, arts and cultural exchange projects and social entrepreneur training schemes.

2015 marks a flagship year for U.K.-China relations, with the first ever bilaterally agreed U.K.-China Year of Cultural Exchange. Southwest China will host a series of events across different art disciplines, with headliner events including Mother River – Yan Wang Preston 2015 China Tour Exhibition, The Selector, U.K. Music on the Go, etc.

Please read more here.