China Direct

Shanghai EXPO 2010 - Latest update for UK Business

The Shanghai World EXPO 2010 will start in less than 75 days and China Direct would like to provide you with the latest news and information from the UK Pavilion - or Dandelion - as it has been nicknamed.

The new interactive UK Pavilion calendar of events is now live.

Don't forget to mark Wednesday 8th September in your diaries.

This will be the UK's National Day and will be marked with a rich variety of business and cultural activities - not to mention a series of high profile visitors to the pavilion.

There will be a total of 125 events (to date) over the 184 days that the UK Pavilion will be open starting on 01 May and finishing on 31 October.

Some fast facts about the UK Pavilion:

• 6000M 2 (approximate size of a soccer pitch)
• Designed by UK based Heatherwick Studio
• Design incorporates "Better City Better Life" EXPO concept 
• Likely to be one of the top 3 pavilions visited during EXPO
• 5-7 million visitors expected - more per day than arrive at Heathrow's Terminal 3
• Six storey high structure consists of 60,000 individually fitted 7.5M acrylic rods (45,000 now in place)
• Club UK will be established at JW Marriott hotel (Peoples Square) - details to follow

Finally a very happy New Year of the Tiger to all China Direct readers!

Our office will be re-opening following the break on Mon 22nd February. 

CBI keeping you ahead - business events 01-05 Feb

Here are some activities for your business diaries covering next week 01-05 Feb 2010. 

Please contact China Direct for more information.

1. Mon 01 Feb: China's Economy in 2010 and beyond (Kerry Centre, Beijing) (*)
2. Tue 02 Feb: Reception hosted by the UK's new Ambassador to China, Sebastian Wood (UK Embassy)
3. Tue 02 Feb: Launch of the OECD's Economic Report on China (Venue tbc) 
4. Fri 05 Feb: CBI-BCCC-CBBC co-hosted breakfast event: EXPO 2010 - opportunities for UK business, Carma Elliot, HM Consul, Shanghai (Venue & details tbc)

(*) Download Ch Eco 2010 Event 01.02.10

Shanghai EXPO 2010 - Latest

Two headlines and links on Shanghai EXPO 2010 for your reference.

• The official website for the UK Pavilion is now live at: www.ukshanghaiexpo.com

• Practical business information for CBI members can also be downloaded direct from our website: www.cbichina.org.cn

Shanghai EXPO 2010 - website launch and new information for business

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!

The long awaited website that will, it is hoped, provide UK business with practical information regarding the UK Pavilion and Shanghai EXPO 2010 will be launched by UKTI's Chief Executive, Sir Andrew Cahn, on Friday 20th November in Shanghai.

China Direct can inform you that the JW Marriott Tomorrow Square will be offering good value room rates for the duration of EXPO and is a 5 minute taxi ride from Xintiandi Metro Line 13 - running direct to the EXPO PARK. Details of other hotels offering good rates will be published on the new website shortly.

Please contact Lily Han (lily.han@fco.gov.uk) directly to review the JW Marriott rates.

Kindly note that the first week of EXPO (April 30th - May 4th 2010) is likely to be very busy.

All 5 key sponsors (AstraZeneca, Barclays, BP, Diageo and GKN) of the UK Pavilion are CBI member companies so please contact China Direct to stay informed and up to date as to the latest EXPO developments.

Some EXPO headlines:

Opening Date: Friday 30th April

UK National Day: Wednesday 8th September

Monthly Priority Sectors:

May: UKTI Priority Sectors: Creative Industries, Consumer Goods

June: ICT, Construction, Auto/Marine/Aerospace/Airports/Engineering

July: Life Sciences

August: Environment, Energy & Water, Climate Change

Sept: Financial, Legal & Business Services

Oct: Education/Training

A Letter from China - Richard Lambert Sept 09

CBI Director General Richard Lambert visited China last week leading a British business delegation that accompanied Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson on high profile meetings with Commerce Minister Chen Deming, Vice Premier Wang Qishan, NDRC Minister Zhang Ping and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Richard's account of his meetings with senior Chinese government officials, CBI member companies and commentary on the Chinese economy can be accessed below:

Download RL China Report Sept 09

Richard Lambert Visit to China 06-11 May

Richard Lambert, Director General, CBI, will be visiting China (Beijing, Xiamen, Shanghai & Hong Kong) from 06-11 September.

Richard will be leading a business delegation accompanying Secretary of State Lord Peter Mandelson and meeting senior Chinese government officials and CBI member companies in each city.

His visit will also mark the launch of the CBI's Climate Change China Briefing entitled " Developing a low-carbon economy in China - the contribution from British Business". This bilingual brief highlights 6 CBI member companies and their practical efforts to reduce carbon emisssions in China.

A series of business events and receptions will take place throughout his visit to which CBI members are welcome to attend.

Details are as follows:

Beijing: Business Summit (Tues 08 Sept) and British Chamber Breakfast (Tues 08 Sept)

Shanghai: Business Reception (Wed 09 Sept)

Hong Kong: British Chamber Breakfast (China Club) & CBI Reception (HM Consulate) (Fri 11 Sept)

Please let my office know if either you or your local contacts wish to attend any of these events.