Sir Andrew Likierman
Dean, London Business School
The 2017 China Business Forum ‘Blazing New Trails – Challenges and Opportunities in China-UK Development and Collaboration’ will explore topics such as the implications of the changing economic and political landscape, emerging local and cross-border investment, and innovation as a key driver for growth.
​​An expanded programme will include activities to help UK business people gain insight into the current Chinese business environment, and Chinese businesses to tap into London’s innovation opportunities.
I do hope you will join us.
Sir Andrew Likierman
Dean, London Business School
Site Title
Theme: Blazing New Trails
Challenges and Opportunities in UK-China Development and Collaboration
2017 is the second year in the China-UK “Golden Era” and marks the 45th anniversary of the ambassadorial diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both China and the UK are exploring and seizing opportunities for change – Brexit for the UK and the economic structural reform for China. With the prolonged uncertainty of Brexit, will the “Golden Era” between China and the UK weaken or continue to strengthen? How will the UK businesses be affected by the structural reform of China’s economy? How can the UK capture opportunities amidst China’s commitment to opening up, as illustrated by initiatives such as the “Belt Road” initiative?
The UK attracted $9 billion of investment from China in 2016, a 130% increase from 2015. As Chinese companies are taking a lead on cross-border investments, what are their interests and motivations? Why is the UK market appealing? How will uncertainties, such as tightened capital outflow regulation impact future outbound investment prospects? UK companies are also keeping a close eye on the Chinese market. How can businesses seek collaborative opportunities and form strategic relationships across borders in China? We will have speakers from different sectors, including technology, finance, property and sports, to address the trends, opportunities and challenges in the UK-China cross-border expedition.
At the G20 Summit in September 2016, President Xi unveiled an “innovation-driven development strategy to create stronger growth drivers”. Incentives from state-backed ventures, government sponsored incubators, and increasing domestic demand are inspiring an innovation boom in China. 8,000 kilometers across the ocean, science and innovation are also at the heart of UK’s economic development plan.
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Subtopic 1 - Innovation across Continents: With an advanced educational system and abundant funding support, the UK is one of the most important innovation engines in Europe. In the meanwhile, as part of the national strategy, China is transforming its growth driver from investment into innovation, becoming a rising entrepreneurship hub. What are the similarities and differences between the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in China and UK? What are the myths and facts about starting a business in China? Although China is an attractive market in many ways, the cultural and language barrier may seem formidable to many UK businesses. What should businesses consider before deciding to go into China?
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Subtopic 2 - FinTech Revolution: From East London to Zhongguancun in Beijing, China and the UK are the fastest-emerging FinTech hubs of the world. According to Reuters, global investment in Fintech venture firms grew 10 percent in 2016 to $23.2 billion, and Fintech investment in China triples to $10 billion at the same time. What can British and Chinese entrepreneurs learn from each other and collaborate in fields such as payments, insurance, investment and lending? How will Fintech be used across sectors, such as payment, investment and lending? What are the challenges along the journey of Fintech application and how can we tackle them?
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Subtopic 3 - AI Resurgence: China is an emerging powerhouse in AI research. The UK has been a highly sought-after ground for AI startups and experts. Like Fintech, AI has been a topic under spotlight those years. Who is leading AI development in China and the UK, and what will it mean for the rest of the world? How can AI be used to reshape the landscape across various industries? What role will AI play in the society development, including its benefits, challenges and risks? Besides, some say AI winners will likely be tech giants such as Google. How would the start-ups co-exist with giant players?
Want to know more about our forum?
Check the CBF2016 pages and watch our promotion video below.