China has embarked to an era of major economic reforms, aiming to achieve its target of reaching a moderately prosperous society by 2020. In this light, Beijing took measures to shift its economic structure towards a consumption-driven economy, fostered by innovation and green development, with goods and services that will end up higher on the value chain. On top of that, it launched concepts such as the Belt and Road Initiative in a quest to strengthen global connectivity through investments in infrastructure and energy, which could in turn underpin global economic growth. Furthermore, China has committed to continue opening up, among other by easing restrictions on foreign investment and increasing the convertibility of the Yuan.
A case in point was the establishment of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (CSPFTZ), which officially launched on 29 September 2013. The CSPFTZ was presented as a laboratory for new reforms, such as the easing of restrictions on foreign currency exchange and foreign participation in China’s e-commerce sector, which were eventually implemented nationwide. Other key elements include the so called “negative list”, stating in which sectors foreign investment is restricted and replacing a prior approval requirement, and a faster company registration process. These measures increased transparency, cut red tape and have reduced the filing process for foreign investment companies to only one day. After the success of the CSPFTZ, three other Free Trade Zones were opened in April 2015, namely the Guangdong FTZ, the Fujian FTZ and the Tianjin FTZ.
The Media Event seeks to showcase the significance and the added value of pilot projects such as the CSPFTZ, through exploring case studies from the side of business and administrative communities. Of particular relevance in this regard is the strong friendship between the city of Antwerp, the city of Shanghai and their ports, which are among the most important maritime hubs in respectively Europe and Asia. The China Cultural Center is honoured to host a number of high-level representatives and policymakers from the Chinese Embassy, the municipalities of Shanghai and Antwerp, the port of Antwerp and the Belgian business community, to discuss the CSPFTZ and its impact on their operations.
PROGRAMME
10.00 – 10.05 Opening remarks
Mr. YAN Zhenquan, Director of China Cultural Centre in Brussels
10.05 – 10.10 Welcome remarks
Mr. QU Xing, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium (TBC)
10.10 – 10.15 Keynote speech
Mr. SHEN Weixing, Official Representative and Deputy Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and TV
10.15 – 10.20 Keynote speech
Mr. Bart de Wever, Mayor of the Antwerp City Council (sistership with Shanghai Municipality) (TBC)
10.20 – 10.25 Keynote speech
Mr. Bernard Dewit, President of BCECC (TBC)
10.25 – 10.35 Presentation on the history, the development and the future perspectives of the Shanghai FTZ
Mr. SHEN Weihua, Official Representative and Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Party Leadership Group Member
10.35 – 10.50 Presentation on the linkages between the Shanghai FTZ and the development of the commercial culture
Mr. HU Huan Zhong, Official Representative of the National Base for International Cultural Trade (Shanghai) and Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Oriental Huiwen International Cultural Service Trading Co., Ltd.
10.50 – 11.10 Tea & Coffee Break
11.10 – 12.00 Panel talks
Mr. YAO Weiqun, Associate President and researcher, Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Centre (30 min)
Mr. LIU Guojin, East Asia Business Manager, Port of Antwerp (10 min)
CEO of Belgian Enterprises (10 min)
12.00 – 12.10 Q&A Session
12.10 – 13.30 Networking Lunch
The Media Event @ China Cultural Center in Brussels Edition April 2016 will feature:
- Mr. QU Xing, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium
- Mr. Bart DE WEVER, Representative of the Antwerp City Council (sistership with Shanghai Municipality) (TBC)
- Mr. YAN Zhenquan, Director of China Cultural Centre in Brussels
- Mr. SHEN Weixing, Official Representative and Deputy Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and TV
- Mr. SHEN Weihua, Official Representative and Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Party Leadership Group Member
- Mr. HU Huanzhong, Official Representative of the National Base for International Cultural Trade (Shanghai) and Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Oriental Huiwen International Cultural Service Trading Co., Ltd.
- Mr. YAO Weiqun, Associate President and researcher, Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Centre (30 min)
- Mr. Bernard DEWIT, President of BCECC (TBC)
- Mr. LIU Guojin, East Asia Business Manager, Port of Antwerp
- Representatives of Belgian Enterprises operating in China
Date: Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Venue: China Cultural Center in Brussels | City: Brussels, Belgium
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