China Direct

ABB to open Greater Bay Area (GBA) Innovation Centre

 

CBI member, ABB has announced plans to open a new innovation centre in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. The new centre, which will be situated within the main innovation hub of China’s new Greater Bay Area initiative, will open in the second half of this year to provide local solutions for smart building development.

Oliver Iltisberger, managing director of ABB Smart Buildings said, “As China is seeking new ways to promote energy efficiency and minimise carbon emissions to design healthier environments in its cities, ABB is now experiencing fast growth in the areas of intelligent building and related electrical businesses.”

The launch of the new innovation centre is a direct result of the group’s restructuring in 2018, where ABB decided to focus its business on four areas – electrification, industrial automation, motion, and robotics and discrete automation.

The company has been keen to promote its services in China, and opened a new customer experience centre in Beijing on Monday, to highlight the potential for development of smart cities with infrastructure upgrades, carbon free transportation and energy saving.

ABB becomes the latest in a long line of CBI members to have made announcements relating to investment in the Greater Bay Area. To find out more about opportunities for foreign businesses in the area, please follow the link.

HSBC to add 1,000 Tech R&D jobs in China

 

 

CBI member, HSBC has announced plans to add 1,000 jobs in research and development centres in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xi’an as it looks to expand its presence in China. HSBC says that it plans to spend up to US$3.5 billion a year on strengthening its technological operations and capability in FinTech.

By adding an additional 1,000 jobs to its current China-based headcount, HSBC’s workforce in-country will increase by 14%. HSBC currently employs 7,000 in Mainland China.

HSBC chief information officer, Darryl West said, “There is a lot more [HSBC] can do with technology in mainland China. The level of technology adoption and innovation in China is way ahead of other markets. {HSBC] see mainland China as a tremendous source of talent, not just for the local market but our technology operations globally. We are hiring very aggressively here.

HSBC plans to use its China-based technology centres to develop banking products for its global network, such as the bank’s UK mobile banking app – which is currently being developed and updated out of the bank’s Xi’an R&D site.

The bank’s investment in financial innovation in China comes in tandem with plans to invest US$15 billion in the next three years into China, as the central government eases restrictions on foreign ownership. Despite the limited physical presence of foreign banks in China compared to dominant domestic rivals being a challenge, HSBC generated nearly 40% of the bank’s revenue in Mainland China and Hong Kong last year.

The bank has identified the fact that consumers in China have embraced technological payment solutions in China in greater numbers than in the West as the main cause of their success in the market. HSBC hopes that further investment in technology and developing a wider portfolio of technology-based products will continue to negate the bank’s lack of a physical presence.

IBM opens new Shanghai R&D centre

 

CBI member, IBM has announced that it has opened a new Internet of Thing (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence research and develop centre in Shanghai. The new centre will supplement IBM’s two existing R&D centres on Shanghai’s “AIsland”, which is situated in the Zhangjiang Science City in Pudong New Area.

Jeff Rhoda, general manager of IBM Greater China Group said, “The labs will not only provide customised solutions for the Chinese market but also support the company’s global R&D activities. [IBM] also looks forward to supporting Shanghai in the development of the Yangtse River Delta during a time of digital transformation. Everything from our IoT solutions, environment management and blockchain to food safety and many other solutions, we will have here in our new centre in Shanghai.”

Shanghai’s “AIsland” will officially open for business in April 2019. The area has been developed to provide Asia with its own Silicon Valley, and more than 100 AI-related enterprises and organisations have signed up to have either a research institute or factory in the area.

Other CBI members to have committed to the “AIsland” include, AstraZeneca , Dow , Hewlett-Packard , Infosys , Microsoft , Novartis and Tata Group.

To read more about IBM’s R&D in Shanghai, please follow the link.

Tate & Lyle doubles in size its Shanghai consumer R&D facilities

CBI member Tate & Lyle PLC (Tate & Lyle), a leading global provider of speciality food ingredients and solutions, has doubled the size of its food application laboratory in Shanghai and added new customer-facing facilities to help manufacturers meet growing consumer demand for great tasting, healthier food and beverages.

Tate & Lyle has done this by moving to a new office and laboratory within Shanghai’s Caohejing Hi-Tech Development Zone. The expanded laboratory and pilot scale capabilities enable customers to design, trial and benchmark different recipe formulations across a range of categories including dairy, beverage, bakery, and soups, sauces and dressings.

Other services range from ultra-high temperature processing (UHT) used for sterilisation, to analysis in the new sensory lab, where consumers and professionally trained tasting panels can trial formulations before manufacturers launch them.

Please read more here.

Huawei Achieves UK Government Cyber Essentials Plus Certification

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider and CBI member, has today announced it has achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

The Cyber Essentials scheme, which was launched by the UK Government in 2014 and is part of the Government’s National Cyber Security Strategy, involves an independent assessment of security controls that businesses need to have in place to mitigate risks from common cyber threats.

By taking part in this Cyber Essential assessment, organisations are able to demonstrate to customers and partners that they have taken vital precautions to combat today’s internet-borne threats.

“In today’s digital world, businesses are under enormous pressure to not only protect their organisations, but also demonstrate how secure they are,” said Ian Glover, President of CREST-accredited certification body for the UK Government Cyber Essentials Scheme, “This scheme is a great example of how organisations can do just that and can give consumers peace of mind that both business and government have defences in place to combat modern day threats.”

Please read more here.

University of Nottingham Ningbo announces test bed for supercapattery technology

Researchers at CBI member the University of Nottingham Ningbo China are leading a major drive to develop the third generation of supercapattery – an electricity storage device that combines the advantages of batteries and super capacitors – to generate high power with high energy density.  

Ningbo is serving as a test bed for supercapattery technology where a team led by Professor George Chen, Li Dak Sum Chair Professor in Electrochemical Technologies, is working on energy materials developed at the University of Nottingham, UK, and related device engineering funded by the Ningbo Science and Technology Bureau in order to commercialise them in China.  

The initiative positions the University as an intellectual resource for industries such as car manufacturers and battery manufacturers, as well as research partners who can draw on the University’s strengths and capabilities.  

The supercapattery technology that is being developed in Ningbo, takes the unique needs of China’s cities into account and has the wider potential to be adopted as a viable on board energy storage solution for ships.  

Ningbo is one of the world’s largest and busiest ports. Given the city’s strategic importance, the port serves as the backdrop against which ships could potentially deploy this unique electrochemical energy storage technologies. Doing so could contribute towards cleaning up Ningbo’s air pollution problem.  

Professor Chen explained, ‘While a ship’s primary source of power is from a diesel engine, its emissions are what makes the difference. The emissions are very much diluted by the air on the open seas, but it becomes much more concentrated in the enclosed environment in a port where hundreds or thousands of ships come into dock or leave – we’re talking about large and substantial amounts of emissions, particularly from super tankers with over 100,000 displacement tonnes. So we are trying to reduce that. When the ships come into the port, they should turn off their diesel engines to stop their emissions, and engage their on-board electric power and storage systems.  

‘Our team is addressing this issue by developing more affordable and durable supercapatteries for electricity storage in the marine environment. We are working with our collaborators who specialise in machine drives. Switching to a hybrid system not only reduces emissions, it will also make your fuel consumption more efficient.’ 

The supercapatteries are based on a modular system, which is similar to batteries. These modular technologies can be combined to build large-scale storage devices, which can be used in homes and mobile phones, among a host of other applications.  

The team is also building on their preliminary work on supercapatteries to find a more efficient way of converting solar energy into electricity, as well as examining other research areas on renewable energy. 

Welcoming collaborators

Prof Chen is welcoming collaborators to join forces with his team to set up physical demonstrators which will show how the supercapattery technology will perform under operating conditions. This will determine the potential of the technology and enable it to reach a higher level of maturity. The demonstrator is an important way of delivering innovation and competitiveness to industry partners. 

For further enquiries, please contact Professor George Chen on [email protected] or +86 (0) 574 8818 0000 (Ext 9696).  

Nottingham University research improving lives in China

New growth for research that improves lives in China

Research carried out by academics at CBI member the University of Nottingham Ningbo is helping to improve the lives of people in China.

The University is leading the way in research into the areas of improved healthcare, greener transport, and sustainable environments.

The University, which made its home in Ningbo 14-years-ago, has heavily invested in research, increasing the number of funding partners, expanding its research facilities and recruiting 20 world-class chair professors.

It now stands poised for new growth in the shape of its PhD programme. Thanks to new government support the University will aim to recruit 1000 PhD students, shaping a first-class research portfolio.

Professor Chris Rudd said: “Research is in the DNA of our institution and we share the University of Nottingham’s passion for excellence with impact.

“We have made a commitment to investing in our staff, our students, our partners and our facilities and, as a result, we are seeing the remarkable growth in research outputs, the attraction of world-class talent and momentum for translating this research to impact not only regionally for the people of Ningbo but nationally and internationally.

“This is an exciting time for the University with further plans to develop our PhD programme and grow our research and innovation in the years to come.”

The University of Nottingham Ningbo was the first Sino-foreign University to open in China. During its history it has seen the opening of China’s first carbon-neutral building and helped 7,800 students through their university life to graduation and beyond.

Research in the themes of healthcare, transport and environment are already changing lives in China. This includes work into supercapatteries- new energy storage devices combing the properties of batteries and super capacitators, technology to reduce climate change and pollution, improving local healthcare and creating cleaner manufacturing systems.

Professor Chris Gerada, Vice-Provost (Research and Knowledge Transfer) said: “Research at our Ningbo campus is intertwined with the University of Nottingham’s global research strategy but with a focus on local priorities. Research teams at Ningbo work closely with hospitals and healthcare professionals to develop technologies and practices to improve lives of ordinary people.

“China is at the forefront of a more sustainable transport agenda. Our researchers are working closely with key stake holders in government and industry to develop electrical technologies, light-weight materials and energy storage and conversion technologies towards greener future transport systems. Together with much of our other research this is having a demonstrable impact in China and further afield. 

“All this would not be possible without our capable and dedicated staff and students. People are at the heart of our research strategy. We have been attracting world-leading chairs, fostering future research leaders and expanding our doctoral programmes and partnerships. These talented people underpin our capability in delivering high quality research and impact to our local and international community.”

CBI makes the case for British Business in China

 

CBI MAKES THE CASE FOR BRITISH BUSINESS IN CHINA

The CBI’s Director-General is visiting China this week on a trade visit with the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Theresa May.

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:

“The Sino-British relationship is a tremendous success story. From services to schools, and iPhones to tea, our countries have a special and integral place in each other’s lives.

“British businesses are keen to play their part in further deepening and engraining the economic ties between China and the United Kingdom. With the consumer market alone worth over £3.3 trillion, this relationship creates thousands of jobs in the UK and China, raising living standards and boosting productivity.

“As the UK forges a new global trading future, it is well ahead of the curve in making the most of its relationship with the world’s fastest growing economy. By making inroads into China’s lesser economically known regions, the UK stands to profit from China’s move from manufacturing and infrastructure into technology and services, writing a new chapter in the golden era of relations.”

30 January 2018

Notes to Editors:

Read the CBI’s latest report on British trade and investment with China, Sterling Assets China.

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.

Media Contact:

CBI Press Office is available 24 hours a day on 0207 395 8239, or email: [email protected]. Follow the CBI (@CBItweets), Carolyn Fairbairn (CBICarolyn) and CBI China (CBIBEIJING) on Twitter.

China Sterling Assets Report - Chinese Version

Dear CBI Members and Partners,

Kindly find the Chinese version of the CBI's first China Sterling Assets Report attached below for your reference.

Many thanks.

Download CBI China Sterling Assets Report_Chinese

Download CBI China Sterling Assets Report

CBI Sterling Assets Report on China Roadshow

 

  

The inaugural Sterling Assets Report has been on a pan-China Roadshow since its launch on Thursday 02 November in Beijing.

The objective of the Roadshow was to circulate the Report's key findings to the diverse and dynamic UK business network in China and encourage policymakers and local officials to use the Report to promote greater UK-China business investment. 

Additionally the Report was received by business stakeholders the CBBC, British Chambers, Department of International Trade (DIT) and a visiting delegation of the All Party Parliamentary China Group in Guangzhou.

China Direct would like to sincerely thank HM Consuls Cecile Elbeleidi in Chongqing, HM Consul Karen Maddocks in Guangzhou, HM Consul John Edwards in Shanghai and HM Consul Nick Whittingham in Wuhan for their support.

 

    

Please note that China Direct will have the Chinese language version of the Report available for review and download by mid-November.

Kindly find the original Report and Executive Summary attached below for your reference.

Download CBI China Sterling Assets Report

Download Sterling Assets China Executive Summary

Thank you.