China Direct

CBBC Great British Brands Festival in China 2015

 

The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) Great British Brands Festival series of events focuses exclusively on selling U.K. products in China.

It provides an important opportunity for companies to showcase and sell their products to Chinese consumers in eight cities.

Following its success in Beijing, Chengdu, and Guangzhou in 2014, the festival is expanding across China, with eight events provisionally planned for 2015 in Chongqing (April), Changchun (May), Beijing (June), Changsha (July), Urumqi (August), Shenzhen (September), Chengdu (October), and Guangzhou (November).

There will also be opportunities to take part in associated events in Hangzhou, Qingdao, Shanghai, Wuhan, and other cities as part of CBBC’s retail-focused China Consumer programme.

Please read more here.

CBI Member Successes in China - Snapshot of Year of the The Horse

 

Dear CBI members and strategic partners,

China Direct would like to share with you a snapshot of CBI members' successes in China through 2014. We hope that you found our new format easy to use, visual and informative and wish you all every success for the forthcoming year of the sheep.

Please do keep sending us your updates and press releases so that your business can also be highlighted in 2015.

Thank you.

Download CBI Beijing, Member Milestones in China, 2014

BMW Group announces a strong 2013 for China market

 

CBI member BMW Group recently released its Annual Report 2013. Read more here.

China highlights included:

Last year, China accounted for 20% of total Group sales.

BMW X1 and models of the BMW 3 and 5 Series are built exclusively for the Chinese market at the two plants operated by the joint venture BMW Brilliance in Shenyang.

Production of the BMW 3 Series Sedan began in Shenyang at the beginning of the year under report.

Operations at this plant had only begun in 2012, and, by September 2013, the 100,000th vehicle was rolling off the assembly line.

The BMW 5 Series long-wheelbase Sedan is manufactured at the Dadong plant.

In July, the 100,000th four-cylinder petrol engine made for the Chinese market came off the production line at the engine manufacturing plant in Shenyang.

At the same time, preparations got underway at the site for the construction of a further plant to supply engines for local production.

More than 50 new BMW and MINI dealerships were opened in China last year.

In April 2013, BMW, together with its joint venture partner Brilliance Automotive, announced the launch of an electric vehicle developed specially for China under the brand name ZINORO.

In Shanghai, MINI opened the first Experience Centre for the brand in China.

Solvent emissions were reduced by an impressive 10.7% to 1.59 kg per vehicle produced during the period under report, an achievement primarily due to the retrofitting of the paint shop to include an exhaust air filtering system at the Dadong plant in China.

Revenues grew by 6.2% compared to the previous year due to higher volumes within a sound economic environment.

Please click here to read the full report by BMW Group.

Pinewood Shepperton signs China deal with Dalian Wanda Group

 

 

CBI member Pinewood Shepperton recently announced at a signing ceremony, hosted by U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, that it had entered into a Consultancy Services Agreement with Dalian Wanda Group to advise on the design and construction of a new film and television studio complex.

Opening in 2016, the film studio will form part of the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis, located west of Qingdao in Shandong Province.

The film studio will cover a 200 hectare area and comprise sound stages, workshops, a post-production area, and themed backlots. Once completed, it will be one of China's largest film and TV studio facilities.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said, "Pinewood studios are world leaders in the film industry and are renowned for their cinematic knowledge and expertise. The recent success of the multi-Oscar winning Gravity, which was filmed at Pinewood and Shepperton, is one of many examples of this.

"I am very pleased that this deal means British experts will be advising on the design and construction of one of China's largest film and TV studio facilities.

"The agreement is great news for the British film industry, as well as a welcome boost to the wider economy."

Ivan Dunleavy, Pinewood CEO, said, "We're delighted to be working with Wanda on the design of the visionary Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis project, which we hope will be another successful step in our growing relationship with the Chinese film industry."

Wang Jianlin, Chairman of the Dalian Wanda Group said, "Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis will be the most advanced movie studio with the largest investment of the world. Wanda has invited the best companies and talents of the world to develop this project. I believe that with its opening in 2016, it will become one of the major centres of the movie industry in the world."

Please click here to read the full press release by Pinewood Shepperton.