China-EU Anniversary Forum & 2026 CEIBS Innovation Forum · Beijing

The Benelux Chamber is proud to be a part of this even organised by the best business school in Asia.
Reimagining China–EU Business in the Age of AI: Industrial Transformation and Strategic Collaboration
Last year, the European Union and China celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties, marking five decades in which bilateral trade increased 300-fold. On May 6, 2026, these two vital global players kickstart a new half-century of relations—at a time when their economic ties remain substantial, but increasingly complex.
For European and Chinese businesses alike, the landscape is shifting. Trade remains robust, yet regulatory scrutiny, geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain realignment are reshaping how companies operate across both markets. At the same time, rapid advances in artificial intelligence and green technologies are creating new opportunities for growth, innovation and strategic partnership. Success in this environment requires more than market access—it demands sharper localisation strategies, deeper regulatory understanding and the ability to identify practical areas of cooperation while managing risk.
China remains central to European companies’ global strategies, evolving from a scale-driven growth market into a value-driven environment that demands long-term vision and continuous innovation. At the same time, Europe’s advanced industrial base and robust regulatory framework are becoming increasingly important destinations for Chinese enterprises expanding internationally. Against this backdrop, businesses on both sides face critical strategic questions: How can European companies deepen localisation and integrate into China’s AI-driven innovation ecosystem? How can Chinese enterprises navigate EU regulatory requirements while building resilient cross-border supply chains? And where can both sides unlock new opportunities for collaboration—driving technological synergy, optimising resources and managing risk in an increasingly complex global environment?
To address these challenges, CEIBS, in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to China, will host the forum “Reimagining China-EU Business in the Age of AI”. Bringing together senior leaders from business, government and academia, the forum offers a platform to exchange insights, explore emerging opportunities and develop strategies for operating effectively across both markets.
Join the conversation to gain actionable perspectives on navigating complexity and building resilient, future-ready businesses in the evolving China–EU landscape.
Event Details
Date: May 8, 2026
Time: 9:00-11:55
Venue: Jade Ballroom, Kempinski Hotel, Beijing Yansha Center
Organiser: China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)
Supporting Partner: European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC), Center for China & Globalization (CCG), CEIBS AIMI Research Center, Geekbang, CEIBS Beijing Alumni Association, CEIBS Alumni Entrepreneurship Association, China-Britain Business Council, CCI FRANCE CHINE, China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, SwissCham China, Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China, Danish Chamber of Commerce in China
Contact: For more information, please contact Stefanie LI at lstefanie@ceibs.edu.
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Agenda
Host: Majid Ghorbani, Associate Professor of Management Practice, Deputy Director of Global MiM CEIBS (Switzerland)-ESCP Double Degree Programme, CEIBS
Registration
Welcome Address
Wang Hong, President, Professor of Management, CEIBS; Hengdian Group Chair in Management
Opening Remarks
Jorge Toledo, European Union (EU) Ambassador to China
Keynote Speech I: China’s Economic Outlook: 15th Five-Year Plan, New Quality Productive Forces & High-Level Opening-Up
Liu Shijin, Former Deputy Director, Development Research Centre of the State Council; Vice-Chairman, China Development Research Foundation
Keynote Speech II: Building Consensus on China–EU Cooperation in the Age of AI
Charles Michel, Distinguished Professor, CEIBS; Former President of the European Council; Former Prime Minister of Belgium (Online)
Keynote Speech III: The Industrial Frontier of AI
Lan Xiaohuan, Professor of Economics, CEIBS; Bestselling Author of “How China Works”
Panel Discussion I: How AI is Reshaping China–EU Industrial Competition
Moderator: Fang Yue, EVE Energy Chair in Economics and Decision Sciences, CEIBS; Director, CEIBS Research Centre for AI and Management Innovation
Panellists:
• Richard Wu, Senior Vice President of Commercializaiton, Z.ai
• Eric Xie, Former Managing Director, EDR China; CEIBS MBA Alumnus
• Kevin Huo, Founder and Chairman, Geekbang Technology
Panel Discussion II: Practical Strategies for China–EU Enterprises in the AI Era
Moderator:Xu Dingbo, Professor of Essilor Chair in Accounting; Associate Dean (Beijing Campus), CEIBS
Panellists:
• Hawk Xu, Chief Transformation Officer, Lenovo Global Supply Chain; CEO, Leshines
• Jens Hildebrandt, Vice President, Government Relations, Greater China, BASF
• Jackie Wu, Senior Partner, Long An Law Firm; CEIBS GEMBA Alumna
* Speakers are subject to change.