The 2018 Two Sessions meetings were, conservatively speaking, eventful in terms of announcements. Not only was the State Constitution reviewed – with the Xi Jinping Thought being added and the presidential term limits dropped –, a massive government overhaul was devised with new, powerful ministries such as the State Administration for Market Regulation. In addition, the annual report and budget plan envisioned a GDP growth of around 6.5%, a focus on qualitative growth and the stepping up of efforts to tackle the Three Battles or Sieges (reduction of poverty, risks and pollution).
Meanwhile, the rest of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 were equally eventful, with issues like the slowing down of Chinese economy and US-China trade tensions stealing the limelight. The importance that the Party attributes to these and other political risks was clearly showcased in a rare meeting between President Xi and provincial leaders which took place in late January, and in the accelerated draft and revision procedure of key pieces of legislation like the Foreign Investment Law. These circumstances raise a number of important questions to consider: what was the impact and the current progress of the initiatives rolled out last year? What can we expect from the outcomes 2019 Two Sessions? What should foreign, and more concretely European, businesses be on the lookout for?
The EU SME Centre and the European Chamber are thus delighted to invite you to join our next Policy Meeting, where Mr. Peter Martin, China Government Reporter at Bloomberg News, and Mr. Andrew Polk, Co-Founder at Trivium China, will address these and many other questions. The event will take place on the 11th March from 15:30 to 17:30 at the Hilton Beijing and will be held under Chatham House rules.
Agenda
15:00-15:30 Registration & Networking
15:30-15:40 Opening Remarks by European Chamber Secretary General Adam Dunnett
15:40-16:50 Presentation by Mr. Peter Martin and Mr. Andrew Polk
16:50-17:30 Discussion and Q&A
About the speakers
Peter Martin
Peter Martin covers Chinese politics and foreign policy for Bloomberg News in Beijing. He previously worked as a consultant for APCO Worldwide in Beijing where he specialized in analysing China’s political environment for multinational corporations. He also worked as a government affairs specialist for APCO in New Delhi and as advisor to its global CEO in Washington, DC.
Andrew Polk
Andrew comes to Trivium as the former Director of China Research at Medley Global Advisors, where he advised asset managers and hedge funds on developments in China’s economy and financial markets.
He also served as resident China Economist at The Conference Board’s China Center, where he conducted economic analysis on the Chinese economy for corporate clients and co-authored The Long, Soft Fall in Chinese Growth.
Meeting Registration and Cancellation
This is a closed meeting open to consortium partners’ management and relevant stakeholders of EU SME Centre Phase II including embassies or consulates only. If you meet the criteria and would like to attend, please send your information to ecamela@eusmecentre.org.cn with subject line and your information by Sunday, 10th March. You will receive a confirmation email.A maximum of two representatives from each stakeholder may attend if the capacity allows it.
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