1. art and entertainment
2. shows and events
3. classical concert

ANNUAL
REPORT 2014
German Chamber of Commerce in China
Support.
Facilitate.
Represent.
Inform.
North China
Shanghai
South &
Southwest
China
Shanghai
SUPPORT.
FACILITATE.
INFORM.
REPRESENT.
We help you make the right moves.
German Chamber of Commerce
in China • North China
German Chamber of Commerce
in China • Shanghai
German Chamber of Commerce
in China • South & Southwest China
Landmark Tower 2, Unit 0818
8 North Dongsanhuan Road,
Chaoyang District, Bejing 100004
Tel. +86 10 6539 6688
chamber@bj.china.ahk.de
25 F, China Fortune Tower
1568 Century Avenue
Pudong District, Shanghai 200122
Tel. +86 21 5081 2266
chamber@sh.china.ahk.de
Room 1903, Leatop Plaza
32 Zhu Jiang East Road
Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510620
Tel. +86 20 8755 2353
chamber@gz.china.ahk.de
content
4
Foreword
5
German Chamber of Commerce in China
6
About Us
7
Interviews with the Chairmen
10
Chamber Boards and Chamber Teams
13
Membership
14
Membership Benefits and Services
18
Membership Statistics
20
Financials
21
GCC in the Press
22
GCC in the Press
25
Economic Review and Outlook
26
Economic Review and Outlook
28
Regional Trends
29
Chamber Activities
30
Events Overview 2014
32
Business Events: Chamber Meetings
36
Business Events: 20 Years Anniversary
38
Business Events: Workshops
51
Business Events: Working Groups in Taicang
55
Taicang Office Opening
56
Social Events
58
17th German Ball
60
Events Neighbouring Provinces
63
Social Responsibility
64
Special Events
69
Imprint
FOREWORD
Foreword
Dear members and partners of the German Chamber of Commerce in China,
Another productive year has come to an end, and with this annual report we wish to summarize the events and accomplishments of 2014.
Business expansion remains a major concern for many of our members. The German Chamber of Commerce endeavors to create a variety of networking platforms to give them the opportunity to meet other members and potential new business partners in a mostly casual setting. The social event highlights in North and East China in 2014
were the German balls, which were themed “Tanz in der Manege” in Beijing and “Der Blaue Engel” in Shanghai and
the two soccer tournaments in Beijing and Tianjin.
In May, Shanghai celebrated its 20 th anniversary with a special event. Over 400 guests attended, and a commemorative publication for members and friends summarizing the work and development of the Chamber during the past
20 years was published. We now support a total of nearly 2500 members in China. All over the regions the German
Chamber of Commerce is aiming to further spread its services and opened a new office in Taicang to support the
strong German business community there.
A high-ranking visit to the Southwest was paid in July by Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel who held the
opening speech at the China (Chengdu) - German New Urbanization Cooperation Forum. The forum highlighted the
growing influence of German companies in China’s Western provinces and the potential of this region. In South &
Southwest China the Oktoberfests were successfully held in Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, attracting more than 10,000 visitors.
One of the biggest changes this year was the implementation of a new membership concept in all regional chapters
of the Chamber. The new concept allows more of each member company’s employees to benefit from GCC’s services.
New regional statutes were introduced in South & Southwest and revised statutes were implemented in Beijing and
Shanghai to clarify the structure and aims of the Chamber. Both the statutes and the membership concept received
majority support from our members during the extraordinary General Meetings.
Providing our members with information through business roundtables, workshops and seminars has continued
to be one of the German Chamber’s main objectives. In Beijing, the Chamber’s key events included two banquets
in honor of the German ambassador to China Mr. Michael Clauss and the Chinese ambassador to Germany Mr.
Shi Mingde. Two new roundtable series were launched in Beijing to give insight into HR and real estate, while in
Shanghai two new workshop series – “Construction & Building Operation” and “Information Technology“ – as well
as five new working groups in Taicang and workshops in Chinese language were added to the Chamber’s range of
offerings. The Chamber also aims to share the newest information about developments in the Chinese market and
the overall business environment in China with our members. We therefore conducted the 5th national business
confidence survey in 2014, the results of which were presented to German and Chinese media representatives in
Beijing and Shanghai. We also conducted the 3rd wage and salary survey and organized a series of HR roundtables
around China to present the survey’s results to members and partners of the German Chamber.
In 2015 the German Chamber of Commerce in China will continue to provide high-quality services and support for
our members. We further strive to cater to their needs and assist them in growing their business in China.
Yours truly,
Alexandra Voss
Executive Director and Board
Member GCC • North China
4
Annual Report 2014
Simone Pohl
Executive Director and Board
Member GCC • Shanghai
Oliver Regner
Executive Director and Board Member
GCC • South & Southwest China
German Chamber of
Commerce in China
2014 marked another dynamic year for the German Chamber of
Commerce in China. Again, German and international companies
actively benefited from our services and we continued to grow and
develop across China. The Year of the Horse was very exciting and
we are all looking forward to achieving an even better Year of the
Goat with and for our members.
Annual Report 2014
5
About Us
german Chamber of Commerce in China
AHK Greater China is the key supporter of German foreign business development in China,
working on behalf of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany. With offices in
Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Taicang, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Taipei,
it represents German business interests in China and advocates Sino-German business
cooperation. The first office in the Greater China Region was established in 1981 in Taipei.
Since 1994 AHK Greater China has been active in Mainland China.
Membership Development of the German
Chamber of Commerce in China (2006-2014)
2,454
2,224
2,047
1,675
1,477
1,300
2006 2007 2008
1,753
1,867
2486
Official representation
The Delegations of German Industr y and Commerce
are the most important partners of the German Federal
Ministr y of Economics and Technology in terms of
promot ion of Ger ma n bu si ness i n Greater C h i na.
Together with Germany’s missions abroad (embassy
and consulates) the Delegations officially represent the
interests of Germany’s industry and commerce towards
political and administrative authorities in China.
Member organization
The German Chamber of Commerce in China is the
official member organization of German companies in
China. By providing up-to-date market information
and practical advice the German Chamber helps its
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
2014
members to succeed in China. It offers a platform for
the Sino-German business community and represents
its members' interests towards stakeholders including
government bodies and the public. The Chamber was founded in 1999 and currently has more
than 2400 members in mainland China.
Service provider
The service provider of the network of German Chambers of Commerce (AHK) in Greater China
supports companies with their market entry and business development in China and Germany. Under
the brand DEinternational it provides business services which encompass all aspects of the market
entry process. These include market research and business partner search, company establishment and
patent registration, recruitment and training, as well as PR and marketing support.
6
Annual Report 2014
interviews
german Chamber of Commerce in China
How would you summarize the year 2014 in a few words?
The year 2014 saw a further strengthening of the good relationship that China and Germany
have developed over the last decades. Leaders of our countries paid a number of political visits
to each other. President Xi paid a visit to Germany in March and German Chancellor Merkel
visited the West of China for the first time, holding the opening speech at the China – German
New Urbanization Cooperation Forum in Chengdu on 6th July. The participation and contribution to this event was one of my personal highlights this year. In October Li Keqiang travelled
to Germany on the occasion of the 3rd Chinese-German inter-governmental consultations in
Berlin. The latter resulted in an overarching action plan aimed to foster innovation in both
countries. German companies have contributed enormously to the innovation progress in China
in 2014, by establishing research locally and providing insight to advance certain industries.
What do you think have been the German Chamber's most notable accomplishments in China this year?
In 2014 we conducted the fifth national Business Confidence Survey (BCS) and the third
Wage and Salary Survey. On 19th June the results of the BCS were presented to nearly 70
German and Chinese media representatives at the press conferences in Beijing and Shanghai. Later in the year new statutes and a simplified new membership concept were adopted
in all of our three Mainland chapters. In North China we welcomed nearly 70 new members
in 2014, and now support almost 560 companies. We offered more than 180 events, attracting up to 6.500 participants and introduced new HR and Real Estate roundtables.
Mr. Lothar Herrmann
Chairman
GCC • North China
What developments – in China or in the Chamber – were you most pleased
with in 2014? Would you like to see any changes come about in 2015?
The economy in China is undergoing a transition from a high growth period to a period of more moderate growth. I’m pleased that policy makers have refrained from introducing any significant stimulus
programs and accepted more moderate growth rates, knowing that the official growth target of 7.5%
for 2014 will likely be missed. Although at the first sight it might seem disappointing that the growth
rates are decreasing, it is a positive sign for the implementation of the future reforms. China has recognized the need for a more sustainable economic growth. In 2015 I would like to see an economic
upgrading process whereby China moves up the value chain by investing more in technology and innovation. This will bring new business opportunities also for German companies in China.
What would you say your region of China has to offer to German companies in 2015? What would you say to Chinese government officials
about what German companies can offer to their region?
According to the findings of our recent Business Confidence Survey, Beijing remains a top 3 destination for new investment. The capital offers proximity to decision makers and political stakeholders. Outside of Beijing, Shenyang in particular has become a center for German investment in
the Northern provinces. The city attracts companies with investment incentives, well-developed
infrastructure, a big, yet unsaturated market and lower labor costs. When asked about benefits
German companies can offer to certain zones, I refer to social work ethics, jobs with lucrative
perks and promising career opportunities they offer. Once companies from the machinery or automotive industries settle in an area, they attract further investment from their suppliers and service providers, creating more jobs and stimulating local growth. They also provide the potential to
cooperate with Chinese companies, exchange know how and develop the area of activity together.
What is your most ambitious goal for 2015?
I actually set several goals for 2015. Firstly, I would like to improve the collaboration between the chamber chapters throughout China, with the aim to upgrade the level of services for our members. Secondly, I plan to increase the participation in our regularly held
“Stammtisch” and establish the event as one of the most interesting networking opportunities. I also commit myself to continue working on opening up the possibility for membership to Chinese companies. However, the most ambitious goal will remain to support German enterprises, especially small and medium sized keeping and improving their market
position in China, by lobbying for fair, transparent and compliant market conditions.
Annual Report 2014
7
with the
german Chamber of Commerce in China
How would you summarize the year 2014 in a few words?
From a Chamber perspective, it has been a challenging but successful year.
Mr. Titus Freiherr von dem Bongart
Chairman
GCC • Shanghai
What do you think have been the German Chamber's most notable
accomplishments in China this year?
First, being without a Delegate/ Managing Director for almost half a year has put a lot
of strain on the Chamber, and it speaks for the high level of engagement of the team
that this did not impact the Chamber’s member communication and services. Second,
this year we celebrated our 20th anniversary, completed the modernization of our
statutes – which concluded a process lasting for more than two years –, introduced a
new membership concept and opened a new Chamber office in Taicang.
What developments – in China or in the Chamber – were you most
pleased with in 2014? Would you like to see any changes come about
in 2015?
With regard to the above changes of statutes, we were very happy to see such a high
level of commitment for the chamber among our members. For 2015, we have new
projects in the pipeline – please stay tuned. However, one thing I also want to mention
is that without the great commitment of all board members, our past accomplishments
would not have materialized, nor would we be able to push for future improvements.
What would you say your region of China has to offer to German
companies in 2015? What would you say to Chinese government
officials about what German companies can offer to their region?
I believe that the Yangtze Delta region offers an excellent combination of a robust
market for the products and services of German companies, a highly functional
infrastructure, and a big pool of talents. In addition, cities like Shanghai, Suzhou,
Wuxi, Taicang, Kunshan and Hangzhou have become “home” for many German expat
families, which is not least due to the hospitality of our Chinese hosts here. On the
other side, I am also convinced that German companies bring a unique background of
high quality technology, excellent education and development opportunities for local
staff, an extraordinary level of commitment for China.
What is your most ambitious goal for 2015?
As we have already mentioned in previous years, connectivity with our members is a
continuous priority for the Chamber and, in this regard, we want to proactively reach
out and initiate/strengthen the dialogue.
8
Annual Report 2014
2013
chairmen
german Chamber of Commerce in China
How would you summarize the year 2014 in a few words?
2014 was a very interesting and challenging year in China. We feel the changes
inside the business environment as well as from the political side. There is an ongoing
transition from an economy based on cheap labor towards an economy focusing on
high tech. We also saw how important the relationship between Germany and China is
being taken from both sides. In the South & Southwest of China we were privileged by
many high level visits this year, including Federal Chancellor Merkel in Chengdu and
Bavarian Minister President Seehofer in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Mr. Stefan Rosenbohm
Chairman
GCC • South & Southwest China
What do you think have been the German Chamber's most notable
accomplishments in China this year?
We had a big change in our Chamber team in South China. I appreciate that each
member of the chamber staff quickly grew into their responsibilities and provides
very good services for our members. They specifically arranged a very interesting and
professionally managed range of events. Another important project was the successful
implementation of our new regional statutes.
What developments – in China or in the Chamber – were you most
pleased with in 2014? Would you like to see any changes come about
in 2015?
I’m very happy to see all the activities of our members under the umbrella of the
chamber, for example the manufacturing working group or the self managed training
concept “member for member training”. Also the activities to set up an education
program for blue collar workers are a very good initiative and I hope we can expand
these activities to more topics and have more companies involved.
What would you say your region of China has to offer to German
companies in 2015? What would you say to Chinese government
officials about what German companies can offer to their region?
The Pearl River Delta is still one of the best places in the world for mass production.
With an excellent supply chain, world class logistics and a huge base of technical
resources, this area is still first choice for nearly all kinds of consumer products,
satisfying exports as well as the domestic markets. Even though prices are increasing
more and more. But we see also new areas, such as the automotive industry which
delivers a lot of new opportunities for German companies.
China is going green and this trend brings a lot of interesting approaches for German
companies’ activities as well. Germany is one of the most demanding markets for high
tech, automotive and environment protection concepts and German companies want
to bring their expertise and experiences to China to support the development of the
region.
What is your most ambitious goal for 2015?
I will tr y to spend more time in the community to understand more about the
challenges we are facing in our region. I am also hoping to further improve the
services and events we offer for our members.
Annual Report 2014
9
german Chamber of Commerce in China
north China
Chamber Board
Mr. Lothar Herrmann*
Chairman
Siemens Limited China
President and CEO
Mr. Martin Broda
Treasurer
Commerzbank AG Beijing Branch
General Manager
Mr. Jörg Müller
Volkswagen Group China
Executive Vice President
Ms. Alexandra Voss*
GCC | North China
Executive Director
Delegation of German Industry &
Commerce Beijing
Delegate and Chief Representative
Mr. Karsten Engel
BMW Group Region China
President and CEO
Mr. Kay Popken
Lufthansa German Airlines
Managing Director Strategy and
Development China
Mr. Stephan Luerssen
Vice Chairman
Bitzer Refrigeration Technology
(China) Co., Ltd.
Managing Director
Mr. Xingliang Feng
NRW.INVEST China/Beijing
Executive Chief Representative
Ms. Susanne Rademacher
Beiten Burkhardt
Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
Partner and Chief Representative
Beijing
*GCC All-China Board Member
Chamber Team
10 Annual Report 2014
10
2013
Mr. Sebastian Suciu
Ms. Corinna Schlapps
Mr. Björn Lindemann
Executive Chamber Manager
+86-10-6539-6660
suciu.sebastian@bj.china.ahk.de
Project Manager Beijing
+86-10-6539-6664
schlapps.corinna@bj.china.ahk.de
Regional Manager
Tianjin and North China
+86-22-8787-9249
lindemann.bjoern@bj.china.ahk.de
Ms. Jana Kumpf
Ms. QI Cuiyun
Regional Manager Beijing
+86-10-6539-6661
kumpf.jana@bj.china.ahk.de
Chamber Assistant Beijing
+86-10-6539-6662
qi.cuiyun@bj.china.ahk.de
Ms. ZHANG Xiaolei
(until 12/2014)
Ms. Sarah Chen
Mr. Max J. Zenglein
Ms. WANG Min
Senior Events Manager
+86-10-6539-6663
chen.sarah@bj.china.ahk.de
Economic Analyst China
+86-10-6539-6665
zenglein.max@bj.china.ahk.de
Project Manager Tianjin
+86-22-8787-9249
wang.min@bj.china.ahk.de
Project Manager Tianjin
+86-22-8787-9249
zhang.xiaolei@bj.china.ahk.de
german Chamber of Commerce in China
Shanghai
Chamber Board
Mr. Titus Freiherr von dem
Bongart*
Chairman
Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Ltd.
Partner and Head of GBN Greater
China, ASEAN & Korea
Mr. Andreas Odrian
Treasurer
Deutsche Bank (China) Co., Ltd.
Director and Head of Corporate
Banking and Coverage, MNC
Mr. Bernd Reitmeier
Startup Factory (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
General Manager
Mr. Jan Noether*
(Until July 2014)
GCC | Shanghai
Executive Director
Delegation of German Industry &
Commerce Shanghai
Delegate and Chief Representative
Mr. Peter Legner
Schenck Shanghai Machinery
Corp., Ltd.
President & CEO
Ms. Bettina Schoen
Freudenberg Management (Shanghai)
Co., Ltd.
General Manager
Mr. Christoph Angerbauer*
(From August 2014
until January 2015)
GCC | Shanghai
Acting Executive Director
Delegation of German Industry &
Commerce Shanghai
Acting Delegate
Ms. Mingming Liu
Voith Corporate Management
(Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Executive Representative
Member of Voith Paper Board
Ms. Brigitte Wolff
PwC Strategy&
Director
Mr. Rolf H. Köhler
Vice Chairman
CanadAsia Management –
Development (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Director
*GCC All-China Board Member
Chamber Team
Ms. Petra Kreuder
Ms. LI Yandi
Ms. XIAO Liewen
Executive Chamber Manager
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext. 1605
kreuder.petra@sh.china.ahk.de
Senior Project Manager
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext. 1609
li.yandi@sh.china.ahk.de
Project Manager Membership
Administration
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext. 1850
xiao.liewen@sh.china.ahk.de
Ms. JIANG Qi
Ms. Pauline Beitenger
Mr. Ulf Schneider
Junior Project ManagerMembership Administration
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext 1644
qi.jiang@sh.china.ahk.de
Project Manager Shanghai
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext. 1871
beitenger.pauline@sh.china.ahk.de
Regional Manager
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext. 1656
schneider.ulf@sh.china.ahk.de
Ms. Verena Simon
Ms. CHEN Zhixuan
Project Manager focus
Marketing & Special Projects
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext.1630
simon.verena@sh.china.ahk.de
Junior Project Manager
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext. 1650
chen.zhixuan@sh.china.ahk.de
Ms. Olivia Helvadjian
Ms. Caitlin Waggoner
Ms. Dr. Annika Beifuss
Communications Manager
& Chief Editor
German Chamber Ticker
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext. 1637
helvadjian.olivia@sh.china.ahk.de
Editor
German Chamber Ticker
+86-21-5081-2266 Ext. 1675
waggoner.caitlin@sh.china.ahk.de
Communications Project
Manager
+86-21-50812266 Ext 1859
beifuss.annika@sh.china.ahk.de
* GCC All-China Board Member
11
Annual Report 2014 11
german Chamber of Commerce in China
South & Southwest china
Chamber Board
Mr. Stefan Rosenbohm*
Chairman
Shenzhen Giesecke & Devrient System
Co. Ltd.
General Manager
Mr. Frank Jäger
The Cable Assembler Ltd.
CEO & Owner
Mr. Oliver Regner*
GCC | South & Southwest China
Executive Director
Delegation of German Industry &
Commerce Guangzhou
Delegate and Chief Representative
Mr. Gerd Kaarow
Metz Connect Zhongshan Ltd.
General Manager Greater China
Mr. Peter Nestmann
Treasurer
Little Fat Fish Holdings Limited
(Hong Kong)
Managing Director
Mr. Rüdiger W. Kümmerle
Rhea & Partner International Holdings
Ltd.
CEO
*GCC All-China Board Member
Chamber Team
Ms. Fabienne Privat
Ms. Astrid Schröter
Executive Chamber Manager
+86-20-8755-2353 Ext. 203
privat.fabienne@gz.china.ahk.de
Liaison Manager Sichuan-Chongqing
+86-28-8533-6840
southwestchina@gz.china.ahk.de
Mr. LEE Chihang
Regional Manager Shenzhen &
West PRD
+86-755-8635-0487
lee.chihang@gz.china.ahk.de
12 Annual Report 2014
2013
Membership
The German Chamber of Commerce in China aims to provide valuable first-hand information as well as benefits to support and expand
the business of our member companies. With 2486 members across
China in 2014 the Chamber continued to grow and our member companies trust us as a partner in various aspects of Sino-German business relations. Many of our member companies joined the GCC on
the day of its foundation and have continued to support our activities and development over the past years. Our long-term as well as
our newer members contribute greatly to the success of the GCC.
Annual Report 2014 13
benefits
Membership
Membership Benefits
• Free profile entry in our Membership Directory, a listing of all members
in China that is published annually
• Free delivery of the Membership Directory
• Free profile entry in the German Company Directory (GCD), the online
index of German companies in China and free access to the Directory
• Free delivery of the member magazine 'German Chamber Ticker’ and
the possibility to publish 'member news' in the magazine free of charge
• Free posting of your company details under the 'New Member's' section
of our website for two months and free listing as a new member in the
GC Ticker
• Reduced member rates for our events in North China, Shanghai and
the neighboring provinces as well as South & Southwest China
• Reduced member rates for training courses offered by the GIC training
departments
• Up to 15% discount for advertisement in the ‘German Chamber Ticker’
magazine and Membership Directory
• Up to 30% discount for advertisement on the AHK Greater China
homepage and online job market postings
• Access to our 'Benefit Program’ that grants discounted rates when you
present your membership card at partner hotels, restaurants, hospitals
etc.
• Advantages for German Business Visa Application
Services for Members
NORTH CHINA
2015
Firmenname
German Chamber of Commerce
in China Shanghai
Mr. Xyz Mustermann
Events
The German Chamber of Commerce in China hosts a huge variety of business and
social events every year to provide our members with the opportunity to meet potential
business partners and to exchange first-hand professional information. Our focus is on
seminars, roundtables, chamber meetings and conferences on current changes in the
business environment as well as networking and other social events.
SHANGHAI
2015
MEMBERSHIP NO. SH 1234
MEMBERSHIP TYPE MEDIUM CORPORATE
VALID UNTIL FEB. 2016
Firmenname
German Chamber of Commerce
in China Shanghai
Mr. Xyz Mustermann
MK 2015_final.indd 3
14-11-18 下午2:15
MEMBERSHIP NO. SH 1234
MEMBERSHIP TYPE MEDIUM CORPORATE
SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST CHINA
VALID UNTIL FEB. 2016
2015
Firmenname
German Chamber of CommerceMK 2015_final.indd
in China Shanghai
Mr. Xyz Mustermann
1
14-11-18 下午2:14
MEMBERSHIP NO. SH 1234
MEMBERSHIP TYPE MEDIUM CORPORATE
VALID UNTIL FEB. 2016
MK 2015_final.indd 5
Membership Cards
14-11-18 下午2:15
Membership Card & Benefit Program
German Chamber members benefit from discounts at various Chamber events. Moreover,
our Benefit Program provides membership card holders with discounts of up to 25% at
many hotels, restaurants, hospitals and other businesses across China.
Newsletter & Mailings
The regular Newsletter of the GCC provides its members with the latest news about the
Chamber, its partners and the market. In addition, regular mailings update the recipients
with an event guide for the region.
Visa Benefits
Chamber members enjoy advantages in German business visa application for Chinese
employees. They can submit visa application documents at the GIC Visa Department
without making an appointment in advance.
German Company Directory (www.german-company-directory.com)
Our members enjoy year-round free access to the official database of German companies
in China, within a pool of over 5,000 entries classified in several categories. This
extensive resource is well organized and easy to use.
Homepage
German Company Directory
14 Annual Report 2014
Homepage (www.china.ahk.de)
Counting 60.000 visits and over 100.000 pageviews every month, our homepage is the
largest Sino-German online business platform. It is a joint project of all German Chamber
chapters in Mainland China and Hong Kong and offers up-to-date market information and
facts about the membership as well as events in the Greater China region. Furthermore,
it provides access to our publications. Our members can download presentations, browse
through pictures of past events and register for upcoming seminars or workshops.
Job Market (www.jobmarket.china.ahk.de)
DE Job Market is an efficient source for domestic as well as international talent and the
preeminent platform for reaching professionals with a German background. Over 500
German companies advertise nearly 700 open job positions and internships annually.
Nearly 1,000 professional candidates are registered in the resume database of the
platform. German Chamber members benefit from special prices for job advertisements.
and services
Membership
Publications
Membership Directory
The Membership Directory of the German Chamber of Commerce in China provides
an in-depth view into the who's who of German companies in China and includes:
• the profiles of more than 2,200 of our member companies
• 10+ pages of useful contacts in China
• special index in front with colored company logos
• 4 different indices to search for companies, member names, cities and business
classifications
Publication Period
Yearly (November)
LanguageEnglish/Chinese
Print-Run
3,000, All-China
Pages
1,000+
Price
RMB 1,200 (non-members),
RMB 600 (members)
Readership
Up to 3,500
Distribution
Direct Mailing
The Membership Directory will be of great benefit to anybody dealing with SinoGerman business operations in China. On top of that, it is a vital source of information on the members of the German Chamber of Commerce in China, making
the network of the Chamber tangible and accessible for the reader. A must for
decision-makers from the German community in China.
Readership
The Membership Directory is popular among German, international and local
business people seeking German business partners.
German Chamber Ticker
German Chamber Ticker is a free bi-monthly business magazine published by the
German Chamber of Commerce in Mainland China. Its cover stories and business
articles deal with current economic and social topics and provide a deeper look into
different industries. Furthermore, German Chamber Ticker features interviews with
high-ranking business professionals and reveals the latest news about the German
and international business community in Mainland China. Distributed to all members and partners of the German Chamber of Commerce in China, German Chamber
Ticker is the ideal way to reach decision makers. Flexible advertising options allow
both small and large businesses to access a diverse international readership.
Readership
With a total circulation of its printed version of around 16,500 copies as well as the frequent monthly downloads of its online version, each issue reaches over 25,000 readers.
Distribution
Our main distribution channel is direct mailing to our members. Around 4,000 copies
are additionally displayed at Chamber event venues and key locations throughout
Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and South & Southwest China. Furthermore, around 6,000 copies of each German Chamber Ticker issue can be found on
Lufthansa flights from China to Germany
German Chamber Ticker Mobile!
The full version of the magazine can be read on and downloaded from the German
Chamber website: www.china.ahk.de/germanchamberticker. Additionally, with the
GCTicker app for Ipad, tablets and smart phones runnning iOS and Android, readers
can enjoy the full content of each magazine on the go.
Publication Period
Bi-monthly
LanguageEnglish
Print run
16,500, Mainland China
Pages
90+
Price
Free of charge
ReadershipOver 25,000
(5% Chinese, 15% expats,
35% Germans general,
45% German business)
Distribution
Direct mailing,
website (2,500 downloads/month),
app, Lufthansa Flights
and selected locations in Shanghai
Android
Apple
Annual Report 2014 15
GCC Surveys
Membership
Business Confidence Survey 2014
Strong Foundation and Future Perspectives
The German Chamber Business Confidence Survey has been conducted annually
Surveyed Companies: 2,400
since 2011. It is a key gauge measuring business sentiment of German companies
Response Rate: 17.4 %
operating in China. As of 2014 the German Chamber in China has over 2400
Survey MethodOnline
member companies representing about 50% of German business in
the country. The survey was conducted online between 12th May
and 6th June 2014 among our member companies. This time period
Figure 2: Industry Segments
was specifically chosen to allow for sufficient time for companies
Question: What is your main industry?
to develop their business sentiment for the remainder of 2014. In
26.4%
Machinery/Industrial Equipment
total the survey comprises of 29 questions, focusing on market
14.3%
Automotive
conditions, investment plans, and business performance. This year
9.0%
Consulting/Legal Services
a total of 417 companies participated in the survey. It should be
6.0%
Chemicals
noted that the survey focuses on the opinions of individual local
6.0%
Electronics
5.3%
Plastic/Metal Products
operations of German companies in China.
Survey Duration
12th May – 6th June 2014
4.6%
4.3%
3.4%
3.1%
3.0%
2.8%
1.8%
1.4%
1.1%
0.2%
7.3%
0%
Finance/Insurance
Construction
Consumer Goods
IT/Telecommunications
Logistics
Medical Supplies
Environmental Products/Services
Aerospace
Tourism
Pharmaceuticals
Other
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Despite challenging conditions and an increased cautiousness,
China retains its status as the most significant market worldwide
for companies from Germany. German firms particularly identify
productivity improvements as a major factor to achieving business
objectives and therefore expect higher sales and increased profits.
Additionally they want to retain last year’s high investment level in
China despite indications that Chinese competition is significantly
increasing. Challenges with regard to human resources as well as
internet restrictions remain the most urgent problem in the Middle
Kingdom, but with a slightly positive change.
30%
Top 10 business challenges
Question: Please evaluate your current business challenges.
Increasing labor
costs
Finding qualified
staff
75.2%
80.9%
82.0%
74.1%
78.2%
83.1%
Retaining
qualified staff
67.2%
69.1%
74.8%
Bureaucracy/
administrative
hurdles
58.7%
58.5%
64.6%
Corruption
49.1%
54.5%
56%
Protection
of intellectual
property
Increasing commodity & energy
prices
Slow internet
speed
Preferential
treatment of local
companies
Domestic protectionism
57.7%
51.9%
41.2%
54.5%
51.5%
51.7%
2013
59.1%
49.5%
50.4%
50.2%
45.2%
48.5%
2012
56.1%
47.2%
50.2%
0%
16 Annual Report 2014
2014
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Membership
WAGE AND SALARY SURVEY 2014
Slowdown of Wage Increases
Human resource related issues continue to be among the biggest
challenges for German companies in China. Labor costs have
been rapidly increasing, and companies continue to struggle to
find and retain qualified staff. Though there have been slight
improvements over previous years, more than two thirds of
German companies report that human resource issues are their
most pressing challenges. As the economy develops, China’s
labor market too is in need of transformation. China is shifting
from a low-cost manufacturing hub into a far more sophisticated
economy with an emphasis on services and domestic demand.
In some labor-intensive industries China has already lost its
competitive edge. Its new growth model depends more on a skilled
workforce than on an abundant supply for cheap, unskilled labor.
Survey Duration 25th August – 26th September 2014
Surveyed Companies
2,800
Response Rate
12.7%
Survey Method
mixed (online, email)
Average Wage Increases by Region (in %)
blue collar
North
East
This year, the German Chamber of Commerce conducted its survey
on wage developments at German companies in China for the 7th
time. The extensive survey was conducted between 25th August
and 26th September 2014. It covers wage developments in 36 job
categories, and includes questions ranging from turnover rates
and productivity to the employment conditions of foreigners.
This year a total of 356 companies participated in the survey, an
increase of 24% compared to the previous year. The results of the
survey are part of the Labor Market and Wage Report 2014/2015,
which provides both information on the current situation of
German companies and an overview of general market conditions
in China.
white collar
South
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0
National
Shanghai
Other
Beijing
Other
GZ/SZOther
Productivity Drivers
2013
2014
100%
90％
80%
70％
60%
50％
40%
30％
20%
10％
0
Improved internal
processes
Better internal
training
Overall better job
experience
Improved retention
Increased automation
Improved general
education
Annual Report 2014 17
Membership
development
statistics
Membership development 2011-2014
2011
2012
2013
2014
North China
Members
600
540 559
490
432
500
400
289 291 290 282
300
200
100
2
0
5
12
82
16
Wholly
Principal 9000
125
169 184
Wholly
Principal 6000
Single
Principal
29 30 15 18
26 31 41 44
Additional
Member
Private
Member
4
13 15
8
Special
Member
Total
Shanghai
Members
1604
1603
1452
1356
1750
1500
1250
1000
778 831
750
400 432
500
250
0
936 932
470 475
49 43 41
39
29 24 24 22
Wholly
Principal 9000
Wholly
Principal 6000
Single
Principal
Additional
Member
65 83 86 88
Private
Member
28 29 32 32
7
Special
Member
10 14 16
Young
Leaders
Total
South & Southwest China
Members
350
300
250
225
239
256
282
259
268
323
311
200
150
100
50
11 15 18 15
23 26
13 18
10 10 14 14
Additional Member
Private Member
Special Member
0
Single Principal
18 Annual Report 2014
Total
Membership
regional distribution
Regional Membership Distribution
North China
Shanghai
South & Southwest China
Beijing419
Shanghai1147
Guangzhou Region (Guangzhou, Foshan) 119
Tianjin71
Taicang77
Dongguan20
Liaoning34
Suzhou76
Shenzhen Region (Shenzhen, Hong Kong) 107
Jilin13
Kunshan43
Southwest China (Chengdu, Chongqing)
36
Shandong17
Zhejiang Western PRD (Zhuhai, Zhongshan etc.)
26
Others5
Shandong 55
6
Others15
Others200
Total559
Total1604
Jilin
Total 323
Liaoning
Beijing
Tianjin
Hebei
Shaanxi
Qingdao
Jinan
Shandong
Jiangsu
Henan
Suzhou
Sichuan
Chongqing
Hubei
Kunshan
Shanghai
Anhui
Taicang
Zhejiang
Chengdu
Fujian
Guizhou
Yunnan
Guangxi
West Pearl
River Delta
Guangzhou
Foshan
Dongguan
Shenzhen
Annual Report 2014 19
Membership
financials
Allocation of Expenses 2014
General Expenses and Administration
¥ 14,936,854
Publications
¥ 1,723,097
Events
¥ 5,151,300
4%
23%
66%
Other ¥ 850,816
7%
Total
¥ 22,662,067
Revenue Distribution 2014
Membership Fees ¥ 9,253,052
Other ¥ 2,679,613
Events ¥ 6,023,802
Publications ¥ 2,549,682
Yearly Sponsorships ¥ 1,914,607
12%
27%
41%
11%
Total
20 Annual Report 2014
¥ 22,420,756
9%
GCC in the Press
Extensive press work is one of the German Chamber of Commerce’s
methods to advocate for the interests of German business in China.
We put efforts into increasing awareness of our Chamber’s activities and further fostering a positive image of German companies in
China. In addition to the general press work, the German Chamber
of Commerce conducts and publishes studies to support our members
in the development of their businesses and to help reveal challenges
and concerns of German enterprises in China.
Annual Report 2014 21
GCC in the Press
GCC in the
In 2014, the German Chamber of Commerce once again successf ully leveraged local and inter national media in order to
increase and strengthen the public voice of German business in
China. We articulated the pressing issues of German companies,
provided statements about major events, and cultivated press
relationships which allowed us to communicate the importance
of Sino-German economic relations.
Last year was marked by a number of important events, such
as visits of President Xi to Germany and Chancellor Merkel
to C h i na , a s we l l a s t he 3 r d Si no-Ger ma n Gover n menta l
Consultations in Berlin. In addition, the revision of the Foreign
Investment Catalogue and the Fourth Plenum of the 18 th Party
Congress shaped Sino-German business relations. All these
events drew signif icant attention to our organization from
foreign and local media.
During 2014 we generated nearly 180 pieces of news about SinoGerman events and their impact on the economic rela- tionship
between the two countries. We also released updates about our
organization and its activities. Media platforms and channels
such as A R D, CC T V, China Daily, Die Welt, Handelsblat t,
Phoenix T V, The Economist and many more published and
broadcasted our quotes, contributions, reports and interviews in
English, Chinese and German. In June we presented the findings
of the yearly Business Confidence Survey (BCS) to nearly 70
journalists at two press conferences in Beijing and Shanghai.
The survey is one of the most relevant tools we use to examine
the pressing concerns of German enterprises in China, which we
communicate to stakeholders and the media. The outcomes of
the survey were highly anticipated and well received.
In 2015 we will continue spreading key messages for maximum
impact within the target group.
22 Annual Report 2014
Press
GCC in the Press
interview excerpts
Excerpt of the interview with Christoph Angerbauer (acting
Delegate) for China Contact on the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade
Zone (November 2014, DE)
Ein Jahr nach der Gründung der Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone sollen nun
weitere Reformen die Attraktivität der Stadt mit dem größten Hafen der Welt
für ausländische Investitionen steigern. Vereinfachungen im Devisenverkehr,
die Verringerung des Verwaltungsaufwands und weitere Liberalisierungen für
ausländische Investoren sollen Cross-Border-Investitionen und Kapitaltransfers
erleichtern. Weitere Reformbereiche betreffen die Zollver waltung sowie
die Inspektions- und Quarantänesysteme. Ausländische und insbesondere
deutsche Unternehmen erwarten dadurch weitere Wachstumsimpulse und
vieles deutet darauf hin, dass Shanghai auch in den kommenden Jahren
ein vielversprechender Standort für die deutschen Industrie-, Handels- und
Dienstleistungsunternehmen sein wird.
Alexandra Voss for Spiegel on the findings of the Business
Confidence Survey 2014 (July 2014, DE)
Ihre starke Position verdanken die Mittelständler in erster Linie ihrer
Anpassungsfähigkeit. "Beweglichkeit ist die große Stärke vieler kleiner
und mittelständischer Betriebe aus Deutschland", sagt Alexandra Voss,
Geschäftsführerin der Deutschen Industrie und Handelskammer in Peking.
Dabei seien die Herausforderungen nicht geringer geworden, wie Voss betont.
Vor allem die Größe und regionalen Unterschiede des chinesischen Marktes
würden Neuankömmlingen viel abverlangen. Tatsächlich ist das Riesenreich
ein Schmelztiegel mit diversen Dialekten und unterschiedlichsten kulturellen
Bräuchen. Auch Wohlstand und Kaufkraft sind extrem ungleich verteilt. Die
aufstrebende Wirtschaftsmacht sei wirtschaftlich "eher als Kontinent denn als
Land anzusehen", sagt Voss.
Astrid Schröter for BBC news on Angela Merkel's decision to visit
Chengdu (July 2014, CN)
“We have been going on with the “Go West” policy from the Chinese
gover nment for about a decade now. Dur ing t hat time many Ger man
companies moved to this region. Companies which are based here are facing
a high demand market, this is an opportunity that is open to everyone. This
development of course drew attention from Germany. The city of Chengdu is
getting more and more into the focus and presents together with Chongqing a
new hub in the West of China.”
Annual Report 2014 23
YOUR PARTNER IN GREATER CHINA
Market entry support for your business success in the middle kingdom
As the service provider of the German Chambers of Commerce Worldwide Network (AHK) in
Greater China, we support you with your market entry and business development in Greater
C h i n a a n d G e r m a n y. W i t h m o r e t h a n 2 5 0 s p e c i a l i s t s i n B e i j i n g , S h a n g h a i , G u a n g z h o u ,
Hong Kong, Taipei and Karlsruhe we tailor customized solutions for your business success.
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DEinternational Taiwan Ltd.
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DEinternational is the service unit of the German Chambers of Commerce Worldwide Network.
24 Annual Report 2014
Training Services
German Chamber
Membership
Building, Energy & Environment econet china
Economic review
and outlook
China continued to see a moderate level of growth in 2014 and economic key indicators remained generally stable. The service sector
contributed to a large share of the country’s GDP and urban unemployment remained at about 4%. Wage increases stabilized at about
10% while consumer prices only increased by 2%. The country is
in the process of massive structural reforms which will continue in
2015 and bring about many changes in China’s business environment.
Annual Report 2014 25
China Economic
economic review and outlook
Key Developments in Brief
Key Economic Indicators • GDP growth expected at 7-7.2%
In % yoy basis
• Services and retail as key growth drivers
GDP • Energy prices will be falling
Investment and Output
• Deepening of structural reforms
Utilised FDI
Fixed Asset Invest
Industrial Production
• Slowdown in new job creation a risk
• Risk of deflation
Consumer prices (CPI)
Producer prices (PPI)
• Falling prices a concern
• Stabilizing policy adjustments
Export Value
Import Value
• Shifting to higher value-added exports
2011
10.4
9.3
23.6
25.9
12.9
–2.6
30.5
11.0
17.4
23.8
15.7
9.7
24.0
13.9
5.9
6.9
–0.7
–5.4
3.3
5.5
5.4
6.0
17.5
18.4
–16.0
–11.2
31.3
38.7
20.3
24.9
Economic Development 2015
Key areas of reforms
Strengthening of market
mechanisms
Financial market liberalization
Administrative reforms
Bureaucracy reduction
Opening of service sector
Reform of SOEs and monopolies
Progressing rule of law
Expansion of social and health
insurance
Tax and fiscal reforms
Reform of household registration
system
GDP (yoy growth rate in %)
11
10
9
8
7
6
Q1 Q2Q3Q4 Q1 Q2Q3Q4 Q1 Q2Q3Q4 Q1 Q2Q3Q4 Q1 Q2Q3Q4
2012
Economic grow t h in Ch ina w i ll cont inue to fa ll in 2015,
with GDP growth estimated to be between 7.0-7.2%. Rather
than experiencing an abr upt crash, the economy is slowly
downshif ting to medium growth but given the size of the
Chinese economy in absolute terms, this slowdown is natural.
Economic transformation and the implementation of reforms
are an ongoing process attempting to amend China’s economic
development model towards a more sustainable growth pattern.
Deepening refor ms have the potential to cause shor t-ter m
economic disr uptions as mounting str uctural problems are
eradicated. Tolerating a slowdown in certain sectors of the
economy in favor of shifting the growth momentum towards
domestic consumption, services and innovation will test policy
makers’ commitment to accepting lower levels of GDP growth.
The structural slowdown to medium growth is currently occurring
within a generally stable macroeconomic environment. Key
macroeconomic indicators have been slowing, but are generally
still expanding at high levels. Key targets of economic policy in
2015 will focus on preventing a substantial slowdown of GDP
growth as well as on defying the risk of deflation. Targeted easing
of monetary policy to facilitate money supply as well as measures
to encourage and support SMEs and export companies, coupled
with easing of real estate restrictions and public spending on
infrastructure, aim to counter the risk of growth slipping below
7%. Monitoring new job creation in 2015 will be of substantial
impor tance, as more heav y-handed stimulus measures are
expected should the still-resilient labor market weaken.
12
26 Annual Report 2014
2010
9.2
Foreign Trade
• Expanded use of RMB
2011
2009
9.6
Price Levels
• Service sector jobs expanding
2010
2008
2013
2014
Given its economic weight, even at moderate growth rates of
around 7% China can maintain its position as an important
global grow t h engine. 2015 will mark a decisive year for
deepening refor ms to br ing Ch ina on a more sustainable
development path. Downward pressure and economic r isk,
Outlook 2015
economic review and outlook
Source: NBS
2012
2013
2014
7.7
7.7
7.4
Price Levels
Consumer price index
Purchasing price index
4%
3%
2%
–3.7
20.6
10.0
5.3
19.6
9.7
1.7
15.7
8.3
2.6
–1.7
2.6
–1.9
2.0
–1.9
7.9
4.3
7.9
7.3
6.1
0.4
1%
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2013
2014
–1%
–2%
-3%
howe ver, a r e i nc r ea si ng, for c i ng t he
government to strike a careful balance
of suppor ting economic grow th while
advancing its ambitious reform agenda.
Reforms
Restructuring and economic upgrading
are v ital in shif ting to a new grow th
model. China is in the midst of massive
structural reforms. Manufacturing’s share
of China’s economy is declining, while
the ser vice sector now contributes the
largest share to GDP. After years of rapid
economic growth, China needs to adjust
its growth model, which is heavily reliant
on investment and expor ts. Achieving
this requires boosting domestic demand
and services, while the industrial sector
need s to move up t he va lue cha i n.
Progress already occurred in 2014: the
government announced that 80 key tasks
were completed and another 108 reform
points have been initiated. By the end of
2015 the tertiar y sector is expected to
contribute to about 50% of GDP.
A mong ot her a reas, steps to i mprove
resou rce a l locat ion by st reng t hen i ng
market mechanisms, opening monopolies
as well as reducing market restrictions
in services can be expected this year. In
an effort to free up savings for domestic
c on s u m pt ion , e x p a nd i n g t h e s o c i a l
safety net will increasingly draw policy
at te nt ion . 2015 w i l l m a r k a c r uc i a l
yea r for de e pe n i ng a nd acce le r at i ng
-4%
Foreign Trade
Export
Import
30
20
10
0
–10
–20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2013
t he comprehensive refor ms. Despite
the advances it should be noted that
profound structural changes take time
and are only gradually taking shape.
Reforms will encounter economic and
pol it ica l headw i nd s a nd t he ac t ua l
reform scope as well as speed in various
areas will differ widely.
Price Levels
Con su me r pr ices i nc r ea sed by on ly
2.0 % i n 2014, w it h pr ice i nc r ea se s
in the last quarter being particularly
weak. Absent of a strong stimulus and a
recovery of oil prices, upward pressure
on c on s u m e r pr i c e s w i l l c on t i n u e
to be wea k . Ref lec t i ng i ndu st r ia l
2014
overcapacit y and falling commodit y
prices, producer prices have been falling
for 34 consecutive months. Overall price
levels in 2015 are expected to remain
low, with consumer inflation increasing
at around 2%, while producer prices are
unlikely to recover during the economic
slowdown. Given the low level of price
increases, the risk of deflation will be a
policy concern, but with GDP expanding
at around 7% and with sufficient policy
tools at hand it is unlikely to evolve into
a macroeconomic threat.
Foreign Trade
2014 ma rked t he t h i rd yea r foreign
trade failed to reach its growth target,
Annual Report 2014 27
economic review and outlook
underlining persistent weak global demand and falling demand
i n t he wa ke of lower econom ic grow t h i n Ch i na. Ex por t
performance will remain vital for GDP growth, but growth
is likely to see greater f luctuations. Together with increasing
competition from Southeast Asian countries, especially in lowend manufacturing, expor ting companies are increasingly
under pressure. Processing and low-tech manufacturing is
expected to further shift to inland regions or lower cost Asian
countr ies. Expor ts of more sophisticated goods as well as
services are likely to gain in importance. Developed markets
will remain the most important, but export growth to emerging
economies, notably within the ASEAN region, will accelerate.
Impor ts have been sluggish in 2014 as commodit y pr ices
dropped and Chinese demand cooled. The situation is likely to
persist in 2015, with imports only growing at low levels.
Record current account surpluses are increasing the pressure
for the RMB to appreciate against the USD. Given the weak
global environment there is, however, a chance that the Chinese
government will depreciate the RMB in order to boost exporting
11%
10%
9%
8%
7%
Jan/Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan/Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2013
2014
Foreign Direct Investment
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2013
2014
*Data Source: NBS
28 Annual Report 2014
Labor Market
Employment growth remained resilient in the face of slower
economic growth, adding 13 million new jobs in 2014 with
urban unemployment stable at about 4%. The ser vice sector
represents the largest share of GDP and has evolved into a major
contributor for growth with a positive effect on job creation. In
general, expansion of the service sector generates more new jobs
per percentage point of GDP growth. In 2015 job creation will be
particularly important, as the government will carefully monitor
the labor market performance as economic growth slows. Wage
increases in 2015 will stabilize at about 10%. As was the case in
2013 and 2014, productivity growth will be outpaced by wage
increases, undermining China’s competitiveness while posing a
key challenge for companies.
Risks and Growth Drivers
A slowdown in the real estate sector, dealing with industrial
overcapacities, and falling price levels pose risks to economic
growth in 2015. Increasing debts of local governments as well
as corporate debt are a risk to the financial sector. Another risk
is that the current anti-corruption drive coupled with stricter
fiscal controls for local government spending may contribute to
more cautious decision making, contributing to slower growth.
Lower economic growth starting to affect new job creation may
develop into a considerable risk. A challenging global economic
environment with lackluster growth further poses a risk to China
this year. Should GDP growth lose momentum in the beginning
of the year, higher levels of intervention – at the cost of progress
on reform – become likely.
Industrial Production
6%
manufacturers should GDP growth prove too low. Policies to
facilitate trade in a weak global environment can be expected to
include measures to increase usage of the RMB as well as new
free trade agreements and expansion of the “new” Silk Road.
In 2015, China’s economy at a larger extent, will continue to rely
on investments and exports. Structural changes are, however,
beginning to affect the growth drivers. Growth in services will
again outpace that of manufacturing. Retail growth is likely to
stabilize at the current high levels and falling energy costs may
boost consumers’ spending power. Generally, the importance of
e-business and mobile internet will be on the rise. Urbanization
projects and infrastructure investments will continue to drive
fixed-asset investments, which will be a pillar of growth in
2015. Industrial upgrading and the need to increase productivity
in manufacturing, and increasingly in the highly backward
agricultural sector, are also expected to contribute to growth. As for
regions, growth in the western and central provinces as well as in
lower tier cities will outpace growth in the major economic centers.
__________________________________________________
For further questions please contact:
Max J. Zenglein, Economic Analyst
Email: zenglein.max@bj.china.ahk.de
Phone: +86 10 6593 6665
Chamber Activities
The GCC • Shanghai offers its members a broad range of business and
social events. From workshops and seminars, working group meetings,
excursions, and factory visits to entertaining social evenings and
networking events, you can always find a program that matches your
expectations. Our team tailors each event to member needs in order
to maximize the benefit of being an active member of the German
Chamber.
Annual Report 2014 29
Shanghai
German Chamber of Commerce
Every year, the German Chamber of Commerce • Shanghai organizes a large variety of activities such as workshops, seminars, social and networking events, offering its more than 1,600
members a platform for exchange and to increase their business
contacts, as well as to help them stay informed about the latest
business developments. As the Chamber network of professionals and business leaders includes the business community of not
only Shanghai, but also of the neighboring provinces Jiangsu
and Zhejiang, we regularly hold business and social events in
cities such as Taicang, Suzhou, Kunshan, and Changzhou . In
2014, we increased the scope of our activities in Jiangsu, and
on 22nd October we opened an office in Taicang in order to offer
more activities to our members there.
All in all, nearly 130 events took place in Shanghai alone in
2014, with the Chamber Meetings the monthly highlight. Our
members had the chance to listen to and converse with expert
speakers, socialize with decision makers from the Sino-German
community, and enjoy a pleasant atmosphere at the diverse
venues of the events, including five star hotels, interesting bars
as well as production sites. Our workshops provide participants
with the opportunity to stay up-to-date on topics including human resources, automotive, tax, finance and more. Issues of
general importance are regularly addressed within the framework of established workshop series as well as special events,
working group meetings and joint events with other chambers
and institutions. In 2014, two new workshops series in Shanghai
on “Construction & Building Operation” and on "Information
Technology“ in Shanghai as well as five new working groups in
Taicang were added to our range of offerings.
The Chamber also continues to support the rising generation
of business leaders. Our workshop series “Wirtschaftsjunioren”
lends young professionals support in their careers through special
seminars, workshops and social events. Furthermore, the German
“Praktikantenstammtische” in Shanghai and Taicang provide
platforms for exchange among German interns and students.
We do not only host business events, but also organize social
gatherings to strengthen the solidarity of the German community
in and around Shanghai. For instance, we organized public viewings of the German team’s games during the world cup, several
“Stammtische,” women in business events, four Inter-Chamber
Mixers and a young professionals’ mixer in 2014, offering great
networking opportunities in a casual atmosphere. Furthermore, on
29th May we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the AHK in Shanghai with more than 400 guests.
For the 17th time the yearly highlight of our social event calendar
was the “German Ball.” This year more than 1,250 members of
our Chamber met under the theme “Der blaue Engel,” ate delicious
food, danced to the music of six different bands, made new friends
and enjoyed an unforgettable night. By now, the “German Ball”
has become famous among the German business community not
only in Shanghai, but throughout and even beyond Greater China.
30 Annual Report 2014
events 2014
chamber activities
Overview of the Events
20142013
ShanghaiEvents Workshops
Special Events
Young Leaders (from 2014 workshop)
Chamber Meetings
Social Events
Joint Social Events
Stammtische
.
Annual General Meeting
Extraordinary General Meeting
20 Years Anniversary
German Ball
Shanghai Total
59 3619
19
505
–
–
7
1304
8
1564
6
1173
24
162
1
190
2
136
1
400
1
1250
128
10303
TaicangEvents Working Groups
Business Events (Workshop, Seminars, etc)
Round Table
In-house Seminars
ParticipantsEvents
10
2
11
2
SuzhouEvents 401277
23
814
8
232
8
1285
12
1546
7
121
24
144
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1240
123
6659
ParticipantsEvents
270
49
300
57
Participants
–
7
10
–
ParticipantsEvents
Participants
–
142
225
–
Participants
Business Events (Workshop, Seminars, etc)
8
360
4
53
Social Events
1
70
2
94
Stammtische
12216
3 154
HangzhouEvents ParticipantsEvents
Participants
Business Events (Workshop, Seminars, etc)
Stammtische
5
126
12 96
KunshanEvents Business Events (Workshop, Seminars, etc)
4
ChangzhouEvents Business Events (Workshop, Seminars, etc)
7
NanjingEvents Business Events (Workshop, Seminars, etc)
1
NingboEvents –
–
12174
ParticipantsEvents
94
1
ParticipantsEvents
135
1
ParticipantsEvents
15
–
ParticipantsEvents
Participants
22
Participants
42
Participants
–
Participants
Business Events
–
–
1
45
Provinces Total
75
1788
41
951
Total
20312091
164 7610
Annual Report 2014 31
chamber
chamber activities
On the last Thursday of almost every month, the Chamber organizes
a large-scale dinner in the ballroom of a five star hotel. Each evening
includes a keynote speech from a high-profile business leader or decision maker. The Chamber Meeting serves as a regular occasion for the
German business community to come together. It offers an opportunity
for the members to stay informed about chamber activities and to network with both other chamber members and other representatives of the
wider German community in Shanghai, including institutions such as
the German consulate, political foundations and the German school. On
average 170 participants took part in each Chamber Meeting in 2014.
An integral aspect of the Chamber Meeting platform is to give new
members the chance to introduce themselves to the community and
present their businesses. Furthermore, they also have the opportunity
to extend their networks beyond the German community, as Chamber
Meetings regularly attract local and international participants. In short,
Chamber Meetings allow participants to enjoy great food, to receive
valuable information directly from expert keynote speakers and to network with industry peers all at once.
January 2014
Links Blinken und Rechts Abbiegen - Wohin steuert China?
Held in German
Speaker: Dr. Wolfgang Roehr | then Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Shanghai
Moderator: Rolf H. Koehler | vice chairman of the board of directors, German Chamber of Commerce in
Shanghai
The first Chamber Meeting of 2014 dealt with the topic of China’s future: “Feinting left and turning right - where is China
headed?” presented by Dr. Wolfgang Roehr, then Germany’s
consul general in Shanghai. He addressed the demographic
development of China and its one child policy, as well as the
“hukou’’ household registration system and its reform. Dr. Roehr
also spoke about his experiences with the Chinese education
system, and the link between China’s economic growth and its
geopolitical influence. He then commented on China’s relations
with neighboring Asian states, and on how vibrant economic
exchange does not necessarily entail good political relations. Finally, he addressed Germany’s position in a world where China is
becoming more confident and more important. In his view, this
development is positive for both countries. Dr. Roehr concluded
that the current political choices of China and its reform plans
should not be a cause for concern for German companies.
32 Annual Report 2014
meetings
chamber activities
February 2014
‘China`s Rich‘ – Insights
Held in English
Speaker: Mr. Rupert Hoogewerf | Chairman & Chief Researcher, Hurun Report Inc.
Moderator: Mr. Titus von dem Bongart | Chairman of the board of the German Chamber Shanghai; Head of
GBN Greater China, Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Ltd.
“When talking about money, everyone wants to make a little
bit more.” With these words Mr. Rupert Hoogewerf, chairperson
and chief researcher of the Hurun Report, opened his speech.
The glittering atmosphere at the Pudong Shangri-La put the
guests of this chamber meeting in the perfect mood for the
topic of the evening: “China`s Rich – Insights.” In China, Mr.
Hoogewerf stated, there is enormous interest in being successful and getting to the top of society. Mr. Hoogewerf believes
that in China not only famous landmarks are symbols of the
economic progress of China, but also the successful entrepreneurs who are shaping the face of modern China. In order to
draw a picture of today’s Chinese billionaires, he covered topics
like sources of wealth, preferred location of residence, travel
destinations and choices for children`s education. Chinese entrepreneurs now act more transparently and fortunes are more
often self-made than inherited. Mr. Hoogewerf revealed that
for every person listed in the Hurun Report, there are 1.5 rich
Chinese entrepreneurs who are missing; a phenomenon Mr. Hoogewerf calls hidden
wealth or “iceberg wealth”.
March 2014
General Meeting and Election of the Board of Directors 2014
Held in German
Moderator: Mr. Jan Noether | President & CEO, German Chamber of Commerce Shanghai
The March chamber meeting was held at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai in Pudong on the occasions of the biannual board election
and the annual general meeting of 2014. Mr. Rolf Koehler, vice
chairman of the Board, presented a laudation of Mr. Kurt Fasser,
who has been actively engaged for many years in the activities
and workshops of the German Chamber of Commerce in China
Shanghai. Mr. Fasser was awarded with the first honorary membership of the German Chamber in Shanghai. Then the 18 candidates for the board election had the opportunity to introduce
themselves, and gave enthusiastic and charismatic speeches
outlining their goals for the chamber. Elected were Mr. Titus von
dem Bongart, Mr. Bernd Reitmeier, Ms. Bettina Schoen-Behanzin, Ms. Brigitte Wolff, Mr. Rolf Koehler, Ms. Ming Ming Liu, Mr.
Andreas Odrian, and Mr. Peter Legner. All of the elected board
members have more than 15 years of experience in China.
Annual Report 2014 33
chamber activities
April 2014
One Store per Day – How to Manage Retail Growth at Breakneck Speed
in China
Held in English
Speaker: Mr. Christian Nothhaft | CEO, Watsons China
Moderator: Mr. Rolf H. Koehler | Vice Chairman, German Chamber of Commerce Shanghai
Having studied tourism at the Munich University of Applied Sciences and then worked
in the catering sector in Germany, the speaker of this chamber meeting, Mr. Christian
Nothhaft, took an unusual path to become the CEO of the health and beauty care chain
store Watsons in China. According to Mr. Nothhaft, even though China’s growth is slowly
decelerating, the retail market still offers great potential. One factor driving the growth is
the countrywide urbanization and fast development of third tier cities. According to Mr.
Nothhaft, a common error among Western brands in China is that they want to position
their product in the same way they do in the West: this mistake, and the increasing pressure of local competitors, will in the future make it more challenging for Western companies to succeed in the Chinese market. One piece of advice that Mr. Nothhaft gave is to
avoid outsourcing processes that you can develop within your company, and to develop
talents within your company rather than hiring from the outside.
June 2014
Farewell to the German Consul General Dr. Wolfgang Roehr
Held in German
Speaker: Dr. Wolfgang Roehr | then Consul General of Germany in Shanghai
Moderator: Ms. Bettina Schoen | Member of the board, German Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, General
Manager, Freudenberg Management
A total of 240 people joined the festive farewell meeting for the German Consul General
in Shanghai on 19th June at the Kerry Hotel Pudong. Board member Ms. Bettina Schoen
welcomed the guests of honor, Dr. Wolfgang Roehr and his wife Dr. Sylvia Kettelhut. Mr.
Titus von dem Bongart, chairman of the board, gave a laudation speech for the retiring
consul general, who has spent more than eight years as consul general in Shanghai. In
his speech, he referred to Dr. Kettlehut as the strong woman behind Dr. Roehr, and emphasized the couple’s close relationship to China. Subsequently, Dr. Roehr gave a speech
on whether or not the 21st century can be called the Chinese century. As another highlight
at the end of the impressive evening, the Feng Hao Jazz Trio played several well-known
songs, accompanied by Dr. Roehr on the clarinet.
September 2014
Weiter mit Vollgas voraus? – Trends im chinesischen Automobilmarkt
Held in German
Speaker: Alexander Seitz | First vice president, Shanghai Volkswagen
Moderator: Mr. Titus von dem Bongart | Chairman of the board of the German Chamber Shanghai, Ernst &
Young (China) Advisory Ltd.
Members and guests of the German Chamber Shanghai gathered at the Andaz Hotel Xintiandi to listen to and discuss the topic “Full speed ahead? Trends in the Chinese automotive market.” Mr. Titus von dem Bongart opened the evening by greeting the new German
consul general in Shanghai, Mr. Peter Rothen, who subsequently introduced himself to the
German business community. Mr. Rothen described the connections he sees between his
last five years living close to Silicon Valley and his present location in Shanghai, another
home of technological innovation. Then Mr. von dem Bongart welcomed the main speaker
Mr. Alexander Seitz, first vice president of Shanghai Volkswagen. Mr. Seitz outlined the
main challenges in the Chinese automotive market and explained how to face those by
adapting to different customer requirements, developing and tapping into new business
fields, optimizing the supply chain and enlarging the brand’s presence in China.
34 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
October 2014
Extraordinary General Meeting and Vote on Amendments of Statutes
Held in English
Moderator: Mr. Titus von dem Bongart | Chairman of the board of the German Chamber Shanghai, Head of
GBN Greater China, Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Ltd.
In order to vote on the proposed amendments of the statues and by-laws, the German
Chamber of Commerce in China Shanghai held an extraordinary general meeting on 30th
October. Guest of honor Dr. Volker Treier, deputy chief executive of the Association of
German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), delivered the opening speech. Mr.
Titus von dem Bongart, chairman of the board of directors, welcomed the members and
introduced the proposed amendments of the statutes and by-laws. Executive chamber
manager Ms. Petra Kreuder explained the proposed membership categories. Even though
a significant number of members attended the election, the required quorum of voting
members was not reached. Therefore, as required by the statutes, a second extraordinary
general meeting was held one week later, where a significant majority approved the new
statutes and the membership concept.
October 2014
Deutschland - bevorzugter Partner für Chinas Modernisierung
Held in German
Speaker: Mr. Michael Clauss | Ambassador of Germany to China
Moderator: Mr. Titus von dem Bongart | Chairman of the board of the German Chamber Shanghai; Head of
GBN Greater China, Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Ltd.
The speaker for the Chamber Meeting in October was the German Ambassador Mr. Michael Clauss. Mr. Clauss assumed this office at the end of 2013, and at this meeting spoke
to the German business community in Shanghai for the first time. The topic of his speech
was “Germany – China’s preferred partner for modernization.” He talked about the strong
bonds between Germany and China and the mutually beneficial cooperation of the two
countries. A delegation from the German Bundestag, among them Ms. Renate Kuenast,
chairwoman of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Consumer Protection, attended the
event and joined the discussion with the ambassador and the German Chamber members.
December 2014
Christmas Chamber Meeting 2014
Held in German
Speakers: Mr. Michael Bauer | Catholic priest and Dr. Annette Mehlhorn | Protestant Minister
Moderator: Mr. Bernd Reitmeier | Member of the board, German Chamber of Commerce Shanghai; General
Manager, Startup factory (Kunshan) Co. Ltd.
In December, the German Chamber invited the German business community to come
together once again at the Christmas Chamber Meeting. Mr. Bernd Reitmeier opened the
evening by summarizing the year 2014 and highlighting the year’s most important events
for the German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai: its 20th anniversary in May, the visit
of German vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel to Kunshan, the opening of a new German
chamber office in Taicang, and the adoption of the new statutes and the new membership
concept. Next, Protestant Minister Dr. Annette Mehlhorn encouraged the audience to reflect on love and the inconsistency of human life, and Catholic priest Mr. Michael Bauer
gave a humorous speech on the many opportunities that life changes bring about. A choir
of the German Christian Community sang Christmas carols throughout the evening and
guests enjoyed a set dinner of traditional German Christmas specialties.
Annual Report 2014 35
chamber activities
20
th
Ann
of the German
of Commerce in
On 29th May the German Chamber of Commerce in China • Shanghai celebrated a very special occasion: its 20 th anniversary. Since
the founding of the Delegation of German Industry & Commerce
in 1994, the German Chamber in Shanghai has provided German
companies with a dependable source of information and support to
successfully carry out their business activities in Shanghai and its
neighboring provinces.
To celebrate these twenty years of hard work, development,
change and innovation, the German Chamber organized a gala dinner at the
Pudong Shangri-La. Among the guests were high-ranking Chinese government
officials such as the Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee Mr.
Zhou Hanmin, and important figures from the German business and political
scene, including President of the DIHK Dr. Eric Schweitzer, General Consul Dr.
Wolfgang Roehr, and – flown in from Germany especially for the event – Dr.
Klaus Grimm, the first Delegate of German Industry & Commerce, who shaped
the work of the German Chamber significantly during the first 11 years.
36 Annual Report 2014
iversary
chamber activities
Chamber
China | Shanghai
To start the evening’s events the nearly 400 guests experienced a journey
through time through recorded interviews with “Old China Hands” who
shared their experiences and memories of the different phases of the
Chamber. Each period was preceded by a performance by Rolf Becker &
Band, with music that had been composed especially for the occasion
and incorporated popular songs from each period. Next, Dr. Schweitzer
gave his keynote speech about the important role the German Chamber of
Commerce in China plays in the global AHK network. He highlighted the
impressive development of the Chamber in Shanghai: starting with only
34 founding members in 1994, today over 1,600 members benefit from the
support of the Chamber.
Dr. Schweitzer further talked about one of the missions of the German
Industr y & Commerce (GIC) in China: promoting and establishing
vocational training schools in China which provide education according
to the German dual system. After broaching issues the DIHK is currently
engaged in in Germany, Dr. Schweitzer wished the Chamber all the best
for the years to come and thanked all employees for their great work and
commitment. A laser dance performance, a photo slide show that showed
events of the last 20 years of the Chamber and singer Teresa Lee together
with Rolf Becker & Band entertained the guests before and during the main
course.
Afterwards all employees who worked for the AHK for more than 10 years
were asked to come to the stage and were honored for their commitment
and valuable support. Members of the Chamber also had the chance to win
tickets for the Kunshan Beer Festival, the German Ball and a training of
the GIC in a lucky draw. It was then time for the last ceremonial act of the
evening: the cutting of the anniversary cake by Mr. Jan Noether, then CEO
and President of the German Chamber, and Mr. Titus von dem Bongart,
Chairman of the Board of the Chamber. After the official events were over,
the guests enjoyed mingling, cake and champagne until late.
Annual Report 2014 37
Workshops
chamber activities
China’s business landscape is becoming increasingly complex. As foreign
companies face ever-changing challenges from authorities and business
trends, the Chamber seeks to provide assistance with its monthly workshops.
Several series of workshops supply the German business community
with information and insight into various fields of interest. Drawing on
its extensive network of professionals and experts in China, the Chamber
hosts several workshops each month on a wide range of topics. These are
chosen in close consultation with workshop leaders, who themselves are
distinguished specialists in their respective fields. This year, we offered
trainings in Chinese for the first time, which were met with lively interest.
Aside from providing insider news, participants of workshops can get
involved directly with our experts during Q&A sessions. Workshops also
provide an excellent platform to network and meet people who share
your interests. Of course, the Chamber provides the right environment
to foster the exchange of ideas and connections among the participants
- every workshop ends with a delicious buffet service and a free flow of
beverages, balancing business and pleasure.
38 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
Automotive
Secrets of Highly Successful Products – das Beispiel SVW Santana
March 5th
Speaker: Dr. Frank Tiemann | Head of Marketing & Corporate Communication; SVW VW Brand Bernd
Pichler | National Sales Director VW Brand, SAIC-VW Sales Company Ltd.
The Software Revolution in the Automotive Industry
Speaker: Mr. Alexis Trolin | Head, ConnectedDrive Lab China, BMW Group
March 24th
The Future of E-Mobility & Hybrid Technology in China
August 27th
Speaker: Mr. Juergen Bauer | Project Manager, Audi Tongji Joint Lab CV
Dr. Marcus Maiwald | Business Unit Manager, Technical Training and Consulting, Fraunhofer-Institute for
Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
Workshop Leader
Dr. Heiko Rauscher
CEO
Porsche Consulting Ltd.
The German Automotive Industry in the Focus of the NDRC: The Chinese
November 5th
Anti-Monopoly Law and the latest Developments in the Automotive Industry
Speaker: Dr. Bernd-Uwe Stucken | Partner, Pinsent Masons LLP
Please briefly describe your workshop.
In the automotive workshop we discuss important challenges and trends in the automotive industry. We try to cover a broad range of topics, including market and
competition, operations, technology and regulatory frameworks. Our participants
come from OEMs, suppliers, dealerships or service providers. Participants with
other backgrounds are very welcome as well.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
We addressed four topics: “Secrets of Highly Successful Products – Example SVW
Santana,” “Software in the Automotive Industry,” “The Future of E-Mobility” and
“Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law.”
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
All topics generated lively discussions. The topic of “Software in the Automotive
Industry” in particular: We had participants with very different backgrounds, such
as automotive OEMs, suppliers, research institutes, Google, Apple, and others. This
created deep insights into a trend which may revolutionize the industry.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
We cooperated with the workshops “marketing & sales” and “legal & tax.” The
cooperation was very fruitful, and we plan to continue to offer joint workshops
wherever it may be beneficial for the workshop participants.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
There is a number of topics we are currently thinking about. A final decision has
not been made, but we plan to cover a variety of aspects. In the past we had a
number of speakers coming from OEMs. I hope we can also get speakers from other
market players, e.g. from automotive suppliers who also strongly inf luence the
shape of the automotive industry.
Annual Report 2014 39
chamber activities
Business and Society
Workshop Leader
Ms. Katja Hellkoetter
Founder and
Managing Director
Constellations
International
Social Inclusion: What Can Be Done at the Workplace and Beyond? Speaker: Mrs. Anja Weckwert | Senior Advisor, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH;
Mr. Thilo Koeppe | Vice President PMC Asia, AMETEK Inc. & Managing Director,
Dunkermotoren Taicang Co., Ltd.
March 6th
Innovations at the Interface of Business & Society: May 22nd
Global Trends and Practice in China
Speaker: Ms. Sun Haiyan | Founder, Social Entrepreneur & Editor in Chief, Economy Magazine
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The workshop on Business & Society was set up in 2013. An important goal of the
workshop is to connect German companies with players outside the companies’
borders. Thus, we invite various society stakeholders, NGOs, social entrepreneurs,
government representatives, academics etc. to participate. The workshop intends
to investigate and encourage ways of engaging in Chinese society by highlighting
existing best practices: these could range from traditional philanthropy and charity projects towards more sophisticated cases of shared value creation for the company and society.
Which trends and challenges were addressed in your workshop in 2014?
In the face of growing societal problems (pollution, social inequality, etc.) companies realize that CSR is not just “nice to have” for image reasons, but also a necessity. For mid-sized German companies, social engagement becomes more and more
strategic for various reasons, including talent recruitment and retention, government relations, and social cohesion in the region. Topics we addressed in the workshops included “Social Entrepreneurs as Innovation Partners.” This was illustrated
by the example of SAP, who hosted one of the workshops. Another workshop topic
was on “social inclusion at the workplace.”
Which workshop was the most successful, and why?
It is hard to qualify any of the workshops, they were all different, inspiring, and
engaging a broad range of stakeholders. There was a good combination of formats
from collaborative workshops.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
We had one joint event with the HR workshop group in Shanghai, focusing on how
societal developments affect the work of HR managers. Furthermore, we had one
other event in cooperation with the Taicang Roundtable and its HR Roundtable.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
With support from the Bertelsmann Stiftung, we will co-design and launch an
initiative on social engagement of the German industry in China. A first strategy
roundtable will take place on 20th March. Furthermore, regular networking events
will continue: the first one will take place together with the Young Leader’s Forum
of the German Chamber on 12th February, featuring innovative social entrepreneurs and their business models, as well as ways of shared value cooperation for
companies with entrepreneurs.
40 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
Construction & Building Operation
Construction Procedures in China – Planning, Approval Process & Implementation
Speaker: Mr. Colin Liu | Partner, CMS China; Mr. Erik Wauer | General Manager, MPS
April 24th
Workshop Leader
Soil and Indoor Environmental Pollution - Remedy & Legal Aspects
September 3rd
Speaker: Dr. Stephan Simon |Managing Director, WESSLING Holding GmbH & Co. KG; Dr. Falk
Lichtenstein | Head of Corporate, CMS China Beijing Office; Head of Dispute Resolution of CMS China
Workshop Construction & Building Operation: September 11th
Process Energy Cost Reduction
Speaker: Mr. Marijn ten Wolde | Energy and Resource Efficiency Manager, Bosch Siemens Home Appliances; Mr. Frank Ralf Mueller | General Manager, LAR Process Analysers China
Voith Paper City – Site Visit
Speaker: Mr. Bryan Glenister | Construction Manager of multiple Voith projects;
Mr. Benny Chen | Manager, Voith Training Center;
Mr. Tom Gu | OpEx & Environmental Business Management, Voith Paper FRS Asia
Mr. Christian
Bosselmann
Deputy Managing
Director
energydesign Shanghai
October 10th
Lean Factory – Planning & Realization in China
November 14th
Speaker: Mr. Qian Liang | Head, Corporate Real Estate Asia Pacific, Bosch China Investment Ltd.
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The workshop presents an opportunity to discuss current trends in the area of the
construction and operation of facilities in China. It lays special emphasis on setting up production sites and their smooth and energy efficient operation.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
In 2014, we addressed five topics: “Process Energy Cost Reduction (twice),” “Lean
Factory Design,” “Soil and Indoor Environment Pollution,” “Construction Procedures,” and “Planning, Approval and Legal Aspects.” Additionally, we arranged the
visit of the Voith Paper Fabrics site.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
The topic of “Process Energy Cost Reduction” was particularly successful. We offered this workshop twice.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
We have the greatest synergy with the “Production and Logistics Workshop.”
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
We will continue to address key trends in Construction and Building Operation.
Future workshops will cover topics such as zero liquid discharge in production (site
visit Mubea in March) and decentralized industrial waste water treatment (site visit
Suzhou Industrial Park). We also offer a one day training workshop for FM personnel in industrial facilities (beginning of February with the TRT). Another topic is
automation of controls to optimize building and process energy demand.
Annual Report 2014 41
chamber activities
Controlling and Finance
Workshop Leaders
Mr. Alexander
Prautzsch
Director | Tax Services
- China Tax & Business
Advisory Services
Pwc
Mr. Marco Eilers
Director German Desk
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP
Inventory Reduction through a Coherent Order to Delivery Process
April 3rd
Speaker: Dr. Andre Philipp | CEO, Deutz Dalian Engines Co. Ltd. Mr. Joerg Nuernberg | Executive Director, Droege Group China Ltd.
Sicher verkaufen in China
Speaker: Philipp Senff | Head of Compliance, Pinsent Masons
May 8th
The next Wave of Foreign Exchange De-regulations - May 27th
New Opportunities for your Cross-Border Cash Management
Speaker: Mr. Samuel Fischer | Vice President Corporate Treasury Sales, Deutsche Bank China;
Ms. Maggie Qiu | Director, Head of MNC Shanghai Capital Markets & Treasury Solutions, Deutsche Bank China
The SAP FIN Module in the Chinese Environment - June 24th
Functionality, Concepts and Best Practices to improve Financial Control
Speaker: Ms. Wendy Zhang | Senior Product Specialist, SAP Labs China; Mr. Andrei Li | Product Office
Leader, SAP Labs China
The Shared Service Center Approach - A Practical View of Finance Strategy
Speaker: Mr. Alexander Prautzsch | Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers Consultants
November 28th
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The workshop Controlling & Finance provides a forum for managers in financial
and administrative functions as well as professionals like accountants, bankers
and advisors to interact and address subjects of mutual interest for German companies. The target is to have six workshops per year with different focuses, covering both current and evergreen topics of interest. Usually, two expert speakers
with different backgrounds lead the discussions.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
The major topics of 2014 have been inventory management, sales compliance,
cross-border cash management, SAP FI module functionality and shared service
centers for the finance function in China.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
We had debates on all topics, in particular about cross-border cash management,
which is a new development in the Chinese regulatory environment, and the set-up
of shared service centers, which is an ongoing agenda item among big and medium
sized German players in China. The latter is connected to the topics ‘process reliability’ and ‘efficiency.’
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
There is some room for industry specific events together with relevant industry
working groups.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
New topics for 2015 may include financing options offered by public credit institutions as well as IT security strategies in China.
42 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
Human Resources
Termination of Employment in the PRC: Experiences & Guidelines for Employers January 14th
Speaker: Ms. Pyn-An Sun | Senior Associate, Schindhelm Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft GmbH
Career Development and Recruitment of Foreign Nationals in China
Speaker: Miriam Wickertsheim | Director, Direct HR Ltd.
Alexander Wibbing | Project Manager, Partner Support Program, AHK Shanghai
May 13th
Workshop Leader
Mr. Joerg Heil
General Manager
hartung:consult
What Makes Leading German Companies Top Employers In China?
June 5th
Speaker: Mr. Robert Schaefer | Member of the Executive Board, Top Employers Institute; Ms. Nicole Jin |
Country Manager, Top Employers Institute China
Salary Developments 2014/2015: October 28th
Presentation of the German Chamber’s 7th Annual Salary Survey
Speaker: Mr. Max J. Zenglein | Economic Analyst of the German Chamber of Commerce Greater China
Creating a Coaching Culture in China
Dr. Laurenz Awater/ Management consultant, coach at INNOVA Management Institute
Ms. Linda Xu / HR consultant at INNOVA Management Institute
November 5th
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The Human Resources workshop covers all areas of HR management in China:
finding staff, retention, remuneration, training & development and much more.
Parallel to our public workshops we also started an HR roundtable, which consists
only of HR practitioners and allows us to discuss more sensitive topics in a smaller
group.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
Excluding the HR Summit, we had a total of six HR workshops in 2014. We covered
regular topics, such as the annual presentation of salary developments, and standard issues such as the termination of employments. However, we also discussed
new topics such as the career development and recruitment of foreign nationals in
China.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
I don’t see that any specific event stood out. Some topics, such as the presentation
of salary developments, usually generate more discussions than, for example, legal
topics. However, our target group always actively engages in discussions.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
In 2014 we had no joint workshops, but I see a potential for cooperation with the
Legal & Tax and the Business & Society Workshops.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
Besides covering legal and other current topics, we plan to have the sustainable
development of human resources as the main theme for the coming year. Our event
“China HR Tomorrow – The Summit 2015,” which is planned for April, will again
combine various topics in one single event and the speeches will be translated into
Chinese for the first time. It will be the not-to-be-missed event for all HR professionals.
Annual Report 2014 43
chamber activities
Legal and Tax
Workshop Leaders
Leader
Mr. Roger Haynaly
Partner
Roedl & Partner China
Ms. Vivian Yao
Certified Tax Advisor,
Partner
Roedl & Partner China
Current Developments regarding Restructurings & Investments in China from a Tax Perspective
Speaker: Mr. Anthony Chau | Tax Partner, KPMG Shanghai Office CV
January 16th
Transfer Pricing Challenges in China - How to Manage Transfer Pricing Risks for Your Business in China
Speaker: Dr. James Zhao | Transfer Pricing Partner, Deloitte Shanghai;
Mr. Simble Li | Transfer Pricing Senior Manager, Deloitte Shanghai
March 4th
Practical Tax Issues related to Cross-Border Inter-Company Services
Speaker: Mr. Charlie Sun | Senior Associate, Head of Tax Practice Area Group ,CMS China
April 15th
The New China-Germany Tax Treaty has been signed! - Opportunities and Challenges for German Companies
Speaker: Mr. Alexander Prautzsch | Tax Director, PwC China
May 6th
Chinese Labor Law Update on employment and HR laws
Speaker: Dr. Iris Duchetsmann | Partner, Clyde & Co
May15th
When Joint Ventures Go Wrong
Speaker: Mr. John Macpherson | Director Greater China, Control Risks
June 10th
The New China-Germany Tax Treaty
Speaker: Mr. Jeff Xu | Tax Partner, Shanghai Deloitte Tax Ltd
July 1st
Soil and Indoor Environmental Pollution - Remedy & Legal Aspects
September 3rd
Speaker: Dr. Stephan Simon |Managing Director, WESSLING Holding GmbH & Co. KG;
Dr. Falk Lichtenstein | Head of Corporate, CMS China Beijing Office; Head of Dispute Resolution of CMS China
A New Wave of Anti Tax Avoidance Measures by the Tax Authorities in China, are you ready?
Speaker: Mr. Tony Zhang | Tax Partner, Grant Thornton
October 21st
The German Automotive Industry in the Focus of the NDRC: November 5th
The Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law and the latest Developments in the Automotive Industry
Speaker: Dr. Bernd-Uwe Stucken | Partner, Pinsent Masons LLP
Trends und Entwicklungen im chinesischen Steuerrecht 2014 für ausländische Investoren
Speaker: Mr. Titus von dem Bongart | Head of GBN Greater China, Ernst & Young
December 9th
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The workshop Legal & Tax provides an open platform for first-hand information
exchange and discussion on current topics and developments in business and tax
related laws and regulations.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
More initiatives and programs were introduced in 2014 to strengthen governmental
administrations. To adapt to those developments and to assess the business risks appeared to be the most challenging task.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
Apart from the very positive reception of the new double tax treaty between China and
Germany, the aggressive approach of the Chinese tax authorities against unwelcomed
service charges from foreign parent companies were certainly the most popular topics.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
Even though legal and tax issues tend to be isolated areas, there were fruitful cooperations with the workshops for automotive and for construction.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
Updates on ongoing developments will be cornerstones of the new agenda. As riskoriented issues are further on the rise, they will complement the program for the
year along with new important laws and regulations that are issued in 2015. One or
two events will be reserved for a review of the past year and/or outlook into the upcoming one.
44 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
Information Technology
Securing your Business Information - Security in the Digital World
Speaker: Mr. Keith Yuen | Partner EY Beijing; Ms. Wendy Xia | Manager EY Bejing
February 26th
Serving 600 Million Users, Challenges of Chinese Internet Operations
Speaker: Mr. James ERON | COO & Co-Founder, ChinaNetCloud
May 7th
Workshop Leaders
Leader
B2B E-Commerce in China – 3 Steps to Success!
September 2rd
Speaker: Mr. Volker Englert | Supervisor for Sales and Customer Service China, Koehler Group; Ms. Elisabeth Broering | Key Account Manager – Fashion & E-Commerce; Mr. Patrick Deloy | Founder and Executive Director, Bluecom Group
Information Technology Security Top Secret – How to effectively protect your Data and Company Know-How from Cyber Criminals’ Attacks
Speaker: Mr. Markus Woehrle | General Manager, datadirect Taicang Ltd.;
Mr. Michael Heitzmann | Senior Security-Consultant, datadirect Taicang Ltd.
Mr. Jan Bernstorf
China Deputy General
Manager
BearingPoint (Shanghai)
Enterprise Management
Consulting
November 26th
Mr. Ahmet Tombul
General Manager
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The IT workshop presents an opportunity to discuss current trends, challenges and
opportunities in information technology, as well as topics with a special focus on
the Chinese market. Our objective is to offer a networking opportunity. We would
like to increase the transparency of IT strategies, IT solutions, opinions and lessons
learned with IT projects in China. The workshop is designed for cross-industry participants who are engaged and/ or interested in information technology or closely
related topics, such as CIOs, IT managers, business process managers, software and
IT consultants, and business managers who strive for more business-IT alignment.
Vauman Information
Technology Consulting
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
Since the relaunch, B2B-commerce and different aspects of security were two of
our major topics, and were addressed in three of our workshops in 2014.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
Our IT workshop addressing “B2B E-Commerce in China – 3 Steps to Success!” was
attended by more than 60 participants. We had a lively discussion with the three
speakers, who were presenting B2B-commerce from different perspectives and the
participants gave us very good feedback.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
Since the relaunch of the IT workshop in September 2014, we did not cooperate
with any other GCC workshops so far. However, the IT workshop is a collaborative
event, jointly promoted and executed with the Canadian and Chamber of Commerce.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
In 2015, we intend to address topics that are on top of the CIO’s agendas, e.g. “ERP
strategy: Local ERP vs. SAP?,” “Digital strategy for China: E-Commerce, B2B and/
or O2O?,” and “Business-IT Alignment – How to communicate with HQ?”
Annual Report 2014 45
chamber activities
Marketing & Sales
Workshop Leaders
Leader
Ms. Brigitte Wolff
Director
PwC Strategy&
Secrets of Highly Successful Sales People
Speaker: Mr. Michael Adick | Managing Director of Articulate
February 19th
Secrets of Highly Successful Products – das Beispiel SVW Santana
March 5th
Speaker: Dr. Frank Tiemann | Head of Marketing Communication Department; SVW VW Brand ;
Bernd Pichler | National Sales Director VW Brand, SAIC-VW Sales Company Ltd.
The Secrets of Successful Brands in China
May 20th
Speaker: Ms. Tatjana Martens-Pearce | Managing Director Shanghai, globeone Shanghai Office
Ms. Na Tang | Senior Consultant, globeone Shanghai Office
Mr. Bernd Pichler
National Sales Director
VW brand
SAIC-VW Sales Company Ltd.
Special Excursion Marketing & Sales: “The Secrets of Successful Products September 18th
in China – The Example of Organic Chocolate
Ms. Julia Zotter | General Manager, Zotter China
Please briefly describe your workshop.
Our workshop addresses professionals in sales and marketing, covering various
topics relating to the "6 Ps" (promotion, price, product, place, people, and processes). Last year, participants also included general managers and company owners,
and professionals who are genuinely interested in new marketing methodologies
and trends such as the impact through new media, big data and e-commerce. Our
workshop is a platform that brings them together with providers of marketing services and consulting.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
We covered a wide range of trend topics in 2014. We aimed at uncovering the secrets to success with the following topics: The secrets of successful salespeople, the
secrets of successful brands, the secrets of successful products (exemplified by the
SVW Santana) and the secrets of successful products in China (with the example
of organic chocolate). The secret of gaining the interest of the audience was that
we showed real examples in China, presenting achievements and shortfalls at the
same time.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
As automotive is quite a popular topic, it drew the most attention, especially as
the VW brands such as Santana and Tiguan are omnipresent in Shanghai’s streets.
However, we were surprised by how many chocolate lovers joined us at the factory
visit to learn ‘from bean to bar’ about organic chocolate making.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
We did a successful joint workshop with automotive on ‘branding.’ For 2015, we
prepared a workshop together with Mechanical Engineering & Plant Constructioncalled “The Impact of Digital in the B2B Landscape.”
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
"The Impact of Digital in the B2B Landscape”
“Secrets of successful processes – CRM example SVW”
“Secrets of successful services – Loyalty programs”
“Secrets of successful places – Changes in the sales channel – e-commerce”
‘Secrets of successful strategies – insights about China strategies
46 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
Machine Building &
Plant Construction
Strategien zum Schutz geistigen Eigentums in China - Besonderheiten der Maschinenbauindustrie
Speaker: Dr. Bernd-Uwe Stucken | Partner, Pinsent Masons LLP
January 22nd
Mr. Peter Legner
President & CEO
Recruitment Challenges im Maschinenbau – April 10
Qualifizierte Mitarbeiter nach deutschem Vorbild
Speaker: Wilhelm Dittrich | Head of Recruitment and Training Department, AHK Shanghai
th
Produkt- und Know-how-Schutz im Maschinenbau in China – May 2nd
Technisch präventive Maßnahmen
Speaker: Oliver Winzenried | Director of Wibu-Systems AG and of Protect-ing im VDMA Working Group
in Germany; Rainer Glatz | Managing Director, Trade association Software und Elektrische Automation,
VDMA; Head of Geschäftsstelle Plattform Industrie 4.0
Erfolgreiche Zwei-Marken-Strategie in China- Das Beispiel TRUMPF / Jinfangyuan (JFY)
Speaker: Peter Hoecklin | President, TRUMPF China
Workshop Leaders
Leader
Juny 11th
Schenck Shanghai Machinery Corp. Ltd
Mr. Daniel Tweer
General Manager
Rosler Surface Tech
(Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The machine-building industry is equally important for China and for Germany.
More and more German machine-building companies are investing in China, facing increasing competition from Chinese companies and challenges in a very dynamic business environment. In our workshop, we try to bring forward the most
significant and urgent topics related to the machine-building industry in China.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
We have conducted workshops around the following subjects in 2014:
“Successful 2-Brand Strategy in China – The Example of Trumpf and Jinfangyuan,” “Product and Know-How Protection in the Machine-Building Industr y
– Technical Preventive Measures,” “Recruitment Challenges in the MachineBuilding Industry – Qualified employees, according to German Standard,” and
“IPR Protection Strategies in China – Special Challenges in the Machine-Building
Industry.”
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
The most pressing topic in 2014 and in the coming years is to find qualified and
well-trained employees. We expect that we will conduct further events related to
this subject in the future.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
So far, we have not cooperated directly with other workshops, but we are planning to have a common event with the marketing workshop regarding social media. In general, we have overlapping subjects with most of the other workshops,
but we always try to focus on a machine-building perspective.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
In 2015, service will be a topic, as well as the automation trend, training, and
maybe Industry 4.0 and design.
Annual Report 2014 47
chamber activities
Production & Logistics
Workshop Leader
Mr. David Mueller
General Manager
Staufen Shanghai Ltd.
Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing Facilities: Concept – Construction – Operation March 20th
Speaker: Mr. Christian Bosselmann | Deputy Managing Director, energydesign Shanghai
Material Cost Reduction – the Key to increase Competitiveness in China
Speaker: Mr. Mike Li | Deputy Operation Director, KSB Shanghai Pump Co., Ltd.
May 19th
Lean Factory – Planning & Realization in China November 4th
Speaker: Mr. Qian Liang | Head, Corporate Real Estate Asia Pacific, Bosch China Investment Ltd.
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The workshop provides a forum where participants can exchange information and
discuss key challenges, mainly in the field of production and logistics. However, as
this workshop aims at sharing best practices related to improving process efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs, the scope of topics covers all value-adding
activities along the supply chain.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
Some of the key topics we addressed were:
Rising production costs in China and the related challenge of staying competitive in the market
Lean factory planning as the basis for efficient internal logistics and production
processes - by defining the value stream and material flow in a company in an
ideal way right from the beginning
Solutions for higher energy efficiency in manufacturing facilities to meet challenges from rising energy prices and pressure from the local governments
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
The workshop about energy efficiency received very active participation and interest from the attendees.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
In 2014, we successfully cooperated with the workshop “Construction & Building
Operation,” which we will definitely continue in 2015. Another workshop to cooperate with in 2015 is the workshop “Automotive Industry,” as competitiveness in
operations is one of the key success factors in this industry.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
Some of the topics for 2015 are intelligent manufacturing (Industry 4.0), reliable
and efficient supplier networks, and logistics solutions for transportation between
China and Europe.
48 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
Young Leaders
Look Behind the Curtains of the Kerry Hotel
Speaker: Gregor Wateler | General Manager Kerry Hotel Pudong
Solo-preunership in China: Breaking and Making the Rules Speaker: Mary Rezek
Essential Legal Knowledge for Business in China
Speaker: Dr. Falk Lichtenstein
A Special Shanghai SKYLINE STROLL The WHO is WHO of Shanghai’s Breathtaking Skyline
Speaker: Fanny Hoffmann-Loss
March 6th
Workshop Leaders
Leader
March 25th
Partner
April 15th
Look behind the curtains II - The Cross-Cultural Experiment of the German Musical "ELISABETH“
Speaker: Mr. Richard Fei and Ms. Mandy Chen
Ward Howell
May 6th
Kaminabend mit Herrn Generalkonsul Dr. Wolfgang Roehr: "China – größte June 3rd
Volkswirtschaft der Welt? - vor innen- und außenpolitischen Herausforderungen"
Business Risks in China – How to Avoid or Deal with a Crisis
Speaker: Mr. Neal Beatty
Mr. Michael Maeder
September 23rd
Ms. Andrea Cristancho
China BD & Marketing
Director
PTL Group of companies
st
October 21
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The Wirtschaftsjunioren | Young Leaders Shanghai Chapter provides a networking and learning platform for young entrepreneurs and managers of any nationality who are interested in developing their professional skills and broadening their
personal knowledge. The Shanghai Chapter was founded in 2010 by the German
Chamber of Commerce in China - Shanghai in close cooperation with young managers and entrepreneurs with a long-term interest in China. The Wirtschaftsjunioren | Young Leaders (http://www.wjd.de) is the German arm the Junior Chamber
International (http://www.jci.cc).
Ms. Verena Simon
Project Manager
German Chamber of
Commerce in China |
Shanghai
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
WJ/Young Leaders workshops addressed topics regarding entrepreneurship/leadership, business and culture. They provided advice on topics like ‘discovering greater
creativity and influence in leadership communication.’ Furthermore, we covered
CRS tips for start-ups and mid-sized companies implementing new initiatives in
their firms from the WoW Power perspective of Touchmedia.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
The format that attracted the most interest this year was our newly developed
event format “Looking behind the curtains,” which reveals unique insights on how
a business is run behind the scenes. Participants especially liked the Kerry Hotel
event, as the scale and scope of the hotel operations behind the scenes is quite
astonishing. The general manager showed the participants operations behind the
scenes and revealed critical elements of a hotel’s service operations.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
Recently, we are focusing on cooperating with the CSR & Sustainability workshop
as we see interesting overlaps and synergies particularly in the area of social entrepreneurship.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
We are planning interesting events covering entrepreneurship, business and culture. Specifically we are planning a workshop for early 2015 on social entrepreneurship. In addition, we are looking at expanding the “Looking behind the curtain” format and introducing more exciting businesses to our members.
Annual Report 2014 49
chamber activities
Women in Business
Workshop Leader
Ms. Verena Simon
Project Manager
German Chamber of
Commerce in China |
Shanghai
Work-Life Balance – Can It Be Achieved?
Speaker: Claudia Gehlen | Executive coach and trainer
Strategic Planning - Develop Your Best Career Plan
Speaker: Bettina Al-Sadik-Lowinski | BAS-Coaching, BAS-Consulting
January 16th
March 13th
Releasing the Transformation Power of Women in LeadershipApril 22nd
Speaker: Julia Atkinson | Senior Executive Coach at Atkinson-Training
Leading across Cultures – Gain Awareness of Your Own Cultural Orientation and Learn to Use Cultural Differences More Constructively
Speaker: Bettina Al-Sadik-Lowinski | BAS-Coaching
June 17th
How Social Intelligence Builds Positive RelationshipsOctober 28th
Speaker: Claudia Gehlen | Executive coach and trainer
Please briefly describe your workshop.
The Women in Business Workshop is a networking and learning platform especially provided for female professionals of all nationalities working in and around
the greater Shanghai area. In a multicultural environment, female professionals
have the space to exchange information about their professional life, career planning, work environment and challenges to better understanding the dynamics of
this multinational business climate. The Women in Business Workshop was initiated in 2013 to address female professionals in and outside of the German Chamber Shanghai and serve as a platform for their career and personal development
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
WiB addressed a variety of topics regarding the working lives of women: how to
balance work with private life, the challenge of leading across cultures, career
planning, and the question of social intelligence in and outside of the work environment.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
All topics were well received and discussed by the participants. The platform allows participants to share with their peers, and provides deeper insight into the
experience of a female professional pursuing a career in the Yangzte Delta. Female professionals who work in MNCs, NGOs, or who are self-employed entrepreneurs come together to learn from each other and develop their professional skills.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
We cooperated with EPWS (Expatriate Professional Women’s Society) and plan to
enlarge the platform for female professionals by continuing the cooperation with
EPWS and connect with other chambers in Shanghai who offer this format of
workshops.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
We are delighted to have appointed Doris Rathgeber to be the new workshop leader of the Women in Business Workshop starting from 2015. Furthermore, the German Chamber will offer more Women in Business events around the topics of selfcoaching, senior career development, experience sharing with successful female
entrepreneurs in Shanghai and much more.
50 Annual Report 2014
Working Groups
IN Taicang
Working groups play a critical role as business facilitators for
companies in China. Currently, Taicang hosts over 160 active
German companies with around 8,000 local employees, mostly
engaged in the knowledge-intensive capital goods industr y.
Moreover, they all share similar corporate cultures and needs,
due to their common home bases in Germany and other parts of
Europe.
Ac t ive a nd com m it ted work i ng g roup pa r t ic ipa nt s for m
connections between different companies and create a dense
network of interaction that includes knowledge exchange, problem
solving, best practice sharing and other pooling of resources
among local companies. In addition, they represent the specific
interests and needs of German companies, and are able to identify
and discuss strategic topics, provide solutions and implement
actions for the benefit of the German industry in Taicang.
Since the beginning of 2014, the German Chamber of Commerce
and the Taicang Roundtable (TRT) have successfully established
various working groups with the joint efforts of local companies
and individuals. Each working group is defined by a different
overall topic, meets on a regular basis and is headed by a working
group leader (an expert from a local company in the respective
field).
Annual Report 2014 51
chamber activities
Human Resources
Workshop Leader
Ms. Angela Bao
(Until September 2014)
Vice President HR & HR
Services
Schaeffler Greater
China
Mr. Daniel Faeh
(Until December 2014)
Project Manager Jiangsu
Province
German Chamber of
Commerce in China Shanghai
Secrets of Highly Successful Sales People
Speaker: Mr. Michael Adick | Managing Director of Articulate
Kick-off Meeting HR Working Group Speaker: Ms. Angela Bao | Vice President HR & HR Services, Schaeffler Greater China
Blue Collar Workers: Hiring and Retention Speaker: Ms. Dr. Iris Duchetsmann | Partner Clyde & Co
February 19th
March 12th
May 30th
Social Engagement July 25th
Speaker: Ms. Magali Menant | Co-Founder and Managing Partner of CONSTELLATIONS International
Team Building in Wuxi (Picking Peaches) Speaker: Ms. Angela Bao | Vice President HR & HR Services, Schaeffler Greater China
July 26th
GCC Annual Salary Survey October 29th
- Taicang Special Focus
Speaker: Mr. Max J. Zenglein | Economic Analyst of the German Chamber of Commerce Greater China
Please briefly describe your working group.
The goal of the working group is to create a platform to improve HR processes,
facilitate information flow and exchange best practices among companies in Taicang. The half-day working group meetings are held every two months to actively
discuss and contribute to specific HR topics in Taicang. Guest speakers are invited
to provide input on specific topics related to Taicang that support and trigger the
working group discussions.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
During the working group kick-off meeting in spring, the group defined some key
topics that were successfully addressed during the year: hiring and retention of
blue collar workers, social engagement/CSR and the salary/wage developments.
These meetings showed that some challenges in Taicang differ from Shanghai in
various respects and require different and more local approaches and solutions.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
In addition to four successful and very productive meetings, the working group
organized a team building trip to Wuxi. While picking peaches and eating healthy
and delicious food at a Songjiale, the participants could network and exchange
ideas to further strengthen the ties of German companies in Taicang.
Which other working groups did you cooperate with, and with which working
groups do you expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
No cooperation yet, but there are overlapping topics for instance with the training
& professional development working group in Taicang to further improve the human resources in Taicang.
What key topics do you plan to address in your working group in 2015?
This will be discussed and defined at the beginning of the year during the first
working group session.
52 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
Training & Professional
Development
July 24th
Training (in Chinese): Developing Winning Teams in China
Speaker: Mr. c.j. Ng | Executive Director Directions Consulting
Please briefly describe your working group.
In the working group “Training & Personal Development” we focus on sourcing and
organizing trainings at a reasonable price for all German companies in Taicang.
Workshop Leader
Mr. Michael
Schneider
General Manager
E.G.O. Components
(China) Co. Ltd.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your working group in 2014?
The key challenge was to consolidate the training needs of the TRT companies by collecting training demands. To get the first trainings started in 2014 was the key milestone.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
Our reviews of the experiences of different companies with certain training providers were the hottest topic in the early workshops.
Which other working groups did you cooperate with, and with which working
groups do you expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
The link is very close to all Taicang workshops, because all of them can be supported with the right training based in Taicang.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
In 2015, the main targets are the following: we would like to evaluate the needs
of our participants and contribute to the study program with the DH VillingenSchwenningen to have a first class starting with Taicang students. Additionally we
would like to get more Taicang companies involved in the TRT Training Program.
Logistics AND Supply
Industry 4.0 - The Future of (Warehouse) Automation in China
Speaker: Dr. Peter Oswald | CEO China + South East Asia, Viastore Systems Shanghai
December 12th
Please briefly describe your working group.
The main target of “Supply & Logistics” workshop is to identify supply and logistics needs and challenges from local companies, to share information and find solutions together.
Workshop Leader
Ms. Angela Wen
Quality Director
Krones Machinery
(Taicang) Co. Ltd.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your working groups in 2014?
Topics addressed in 2014 were supply management, logistics concepts and policies,
indirect material purchasing, local sourcing, and warehouse management.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
There was always a lot of discussion during each working group meeting. Generally, our
members are interested in international forwarding, customs import and export business activities, and how local suppliers can develop an understanding of German quality standards.
W h ic h ot he r work shops d id you coope r ate w it h , a nd w it h wh ic h workshops do you e x pe c t to have t he mos t s y ne r g ie s for t he com i ng yea r?
We have not cooperated with other workshops in 2014. It might be one of our plans in 2015.
What key topics do you plan to address in your working groups in 2015?
We would like to invite external professional speakers to gain more insights into
resource integration, cost reduction and increased localization rates.
Annual Report 2014 53
chamber activities
Operations
Workshop Leaders
Leader
Lean Shop Floor Management Speaker: Mr. Timo Schneemann | Manager of Staufen Shanghai
November 25th
Mr. Min Chen
Vice General Manager
Memminger-Iro
(Taicang) Textile Machinery Co. Ltd.
Mr. Richard Qin
Production Manager
E.G.O. Components
(China) Co. Ltd.
Please briefly describe your working group.
We intend to share professional experience in the field of production management
and find new ways and opportunities to cooperate with other members.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
A popular topic was lean production experience sharing. We also discussed other
topics related to operations, such as EHS, Training, and capability sharing.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
The two most popular topics were lean production and “How to do training for a
new Chinese employee.”
Which other working groups did you cooperate with, and with which working
groups do you expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
Our working group was just launched in the second half of 2014, so we have not
yet cooperated with other groups. For 2015, we expect to have the most synergies
with the Supply & Logistic Working Group and the Training & Professional Development Working group.
What key topics do you plan to address in your workshop(s) in 2015?
We have not finalized all our key topics for 2015 yet, and we will do some survey
to collect new ideas from our members. However, we will surely address lean production experience sharing, training issue, and EHS in 2015.
Finance & Controlling
Workshop Leader
Ms. Dr. Zhou Shuqin
CFO
Krones Machinery
(Taicang) Co. Ltd.
Meet the Taicang Tax Office Experts
Speaker: Representatives from the National Tax Bureau in Taicang
November 12th
Please briefly describe your working group.
The Finance + Controlling working group will focus on all finance, accounting, controlling,
and tax matters that foreign invested companies in Taicang have to regularly deal with.
Which major trends and key challenges were addressed in your workshops in 2014?
The working group was just launched in the last quarter of 2014. The first regular
workshop addressed the topic of tax, with the Taicang Tax Bureau attending the
workshop and supplying the latest information.
Which of the topics you discussed in 2014 generated the most passionate debate?
As the working group is still young, it is difficult to decide which topics stand out.
Which other workshops did you cooperate with, and with which workshops do you
expect to have the most synergies for the coming year?
We will stay focused on finance controlling matters for the coming year and don't
yet plan any major cooperations with other workshops.
What key topics do you plan to address in your working groups in 2015?
Topics related to authorities and their rules and regulations (e.g. Tax, SAFE, Customs,
etc.) will probably remain a focus. Also, controlling-related topics such as management reporting, working capital management, etc. could be interesting to address.
54 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
The German Chamber Celebrates
Office Opening in Taicang
On 22nd October the German Chamber of Commerce in China |
Shanghai celebrated the opening of its Taicang office. During
the past year, the Delegation of German Industry & Commerce
Shanghai (AHK) has expanded and intensified their activities in
Taicang to provide local companies with better assistance. Taicang hosts around 200 active German companies withover 6,000
local employees. In order to support, facilitate and promote initiatives such as working groups, dialogues with government and
educational and training institutions, and provide the necessary
services and resources from Shanghai, it was an obvious and
necessary step to set up a German Chamber office in Taicang. To
celebrate the office opening, Mr. Titus von dem Bongart, chairman of the board of directors, German Chamber of Commerce in
Shanghai welcomed the German Consul General in Shanghai Mr.
Peter Rothen and high-ranking guests from Taicang’s German
and Chinese business and political communities, such as Ms. Lu
Yan and Mr. Zhu Wanli, vice-mayors of the Taicang Municipal
Government, and Mr. Lu Yizhong, vice president of the China
Council for the Promotion of International Trade Suzhou.
About 140 participants joined the event, also enjoying the opportunity to see the new premises. In his speech, Mr. Lu emphasized
how the new office opening highlighted Taicang’s strong SinoGerman “brand,” as well as the long history of Chinese-German
cooperation in the region. Later, Mr. Rothen pointed out that a
new German Chamber office opening no longer happens very frequently, and said that the fact that there was a German Chamber
office in Taicang but none in Los Angeles emphasized how important Taicang is to German business. In his closing speech, acting
chief representative of the AHK, Mr. Christoph Angerbauer, took
the opportunity to thank the highly active and committed individuals from local enterprises, organizations and the government.
Finally, the assembled guests enjoyed a lion dance, the official
ribbon cutting, and a champagne toast.
Visitors are always welcome at the German Chamber of Commerce’s office in Taicang. For more information, please contact
Mr. Ulf Schneider at schneider.ulf@sh.china.ahk.de.
social events
chamber activities
Germans in Shanghai and the neighbouring provinces do not need to worry about getting to know new people. Every month, the Chamber organises many social events that
bring together Germans, locals and other members of the international community. From
InterChamber Mixers, happy hours and special dinners to family days and the highlight of
year, the German Ball, the Chamber has it all in its busy annual social calendar.
Kölle Alaaf | Cologne Carnival in Shanghai
March 4th | Brotzeit
This year the German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai organized Kölle Alaaf – a celebration of the traditional carnival from the city of Cologne - for the 1st time. Children
and grown-ups enjoyed traditional specialties from the Rhineland and had the chance
to listen to and sing along with songs from Cologne’s carnival, experiencing a very special part of German culture.
Spring Inter-Chamber Mixer
April 3rd | Isola Bar & Grill, Shanghai
Every year, the Spring Inter-Chamber Mixer is the first opportunity for the international Chamber community to meet. Businesspeople from all over the world enjoyed a
delicious buffet and had the chance to admire the view of the illuminated Pearl Tower.
Public Viewings: World Cup 2014
June 16th, June 26th, July 4th, July 14th | German Centre Shanghai
The German Centre and the German Chamber invited German football fans – along
with a number of Chinese fans who had also fallen in love with Jogi Loew’s team - to
join several public viewings of Germany’s amazing performances live on a big screen.
Everything began with the first game against Portugal, which attracted more than
500 fans. Next up were the games against the US and the quarterfinal against France.
The most amazing event was the final against Argentina: more than 650 participants
came all the way to the German Centre from all parts of town to watch and celebrate
as Germany won its 4th title. Chinese and German fans of every age filled the lounge of
the German Centre, face paint and flags colored the room in red, black and gold, and
a Chinese fan club equipped with drums provided an exciting atmosphere. Snacks and
free-flow beers were offered to the colorful crowd. Long after the game had ended, the
fans continued to sing, drink and celebrate until after the sun came up.
Asparagus Dinner
June 9th | Käfer by the Binjiang One
The Chamber at Käfer hosted this special Asparagus dinner for the first time in 2014.
The guests enjoyed an evening of three courses of fine dining and entertainment at one
of the finest restaurants in Shanghai, which was a breathtaking river view.
Summer Inter-Chamber Mixer
June 24th | Regal Hotel, Shanghai
The international community of Chambers of Commerce gathered once again for an exceptional evening in Shanghai. Members of chambers from all around the world as well
as their friends met at the Regal Hotel to exchange conversations, engage in networking, and enjoy the location.
Ladies Networking Night
March 12th | Mexo at the Bund, Shanghai
In addition to workshops for women in business, a Ladies Networking Night was organized this year in cooperation with other Chambers. Like-minded women from a variety
of backgrounds explored new opportunities and exchanged experiences at a beautiful
Bund-side location.
56 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
2 x Young Professionals Mixer
April 25th | Xuan Bar, August 14th | Tap House
Organized in cooperation with several other Chambers, such as the Swiss Chamber,
Ben Cham (representing Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemburg) and the Canadian
Chamber, these events brought together young professionals, members, non-members
and friends from around the world. Everyone had the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed get
together, network in a pleasant atmosphere and taste signature cocktails at Xuan Bar,
and draft beers, wines, soft drinks as well as assorted snacks at Tap House.
10th Welcome Back Party
August 30th | Eurocampus – German and French School Shanghai
For the 10 th time, the German Chamber, in cooperation with the German and French
School Shanghai, organized the annual Welcome Back Party at the Eurocampus in Puxi.
Around 900 guests enjoyed a beautiful late summer day filled with outdoor activities,
games, live music, typical German food, barbecue, sweets and drinks and live music.
Polo Gold Cup October 19th | Estate of Nine Dragons Hill
The German Chamber of Commerce offered its members special access to an exclusive
outdoor event: a day at the Polo Gold Cup. Members joined with their families and friends
to experience the prestigious world of polo from up close. The audience had the chance to
witness this breathtakingly high-speed game from right next to the playing field.
10th Christmas Inter-Chamber Mixer
December 3rd | Paulaner Bräuhaus, Shanghai
This year the Paulaner Bräuhaus opened its doors to the Christmas Inter-Chamber Mixer
organized by the German and the European Chamber for the 10 th time. The venue was
packed with a record-breaking 900 colleagues, family members, and friends who gathered for a cheery international Christmas celebration. Guests enjoyed indoor and outdoor buffets featuring Gluehwein and other traditional Christmas favorites, and danced
the night away to music provided by Paulaner’s house band. The evening was a shining
example of Shanghai’s foreign and local communities united by the Christmas spirit.
STAMMTISCHE
Deutscher Stammtisch Shanghai
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month | Paulaner Bräuhaus, Shanghai
Every month the German business community comes together in a friendly and relaxed
atmosphere at the Paulaner on Fenyang Road. This is the perfect opportunity both for
newcomers to get to know the Shanghai German community and for long time residents
to catch up with old friends over a glass of German beer and a traditional German meal.
Praktikantenstammtisch Shanghai
Every third Wednesday of the month | Cotton’s, Shanghai
Each month interns, students, and young professionals meet at Cotton’s Bar on Anting
Road for the German Praktikantenstammtisch. This long-standing event gives attendees
a chance to meet new people, learn more about Shanghai, exchange experiences, and,
most importantly, enjoy a fun night out.
German Corner Hangzhou
Every third Tuesday of the month | Angelo’s Restaurant, Hangzhou
The German Chamber Corner has become a fixed date for all expats living in Hangzhou.
Every third Tuesday of the month, they meet with friends and colleagues and enjoy
lively conversation in a casual atmosphere.
Social Gathering in Suzhou
Every first Tuesday | Harry’s Bar, Suzhou
The German Chamber, in cooperation with DUSA, also organized regular get-togethers
in Suzhou in 2014, which enables Suzhou’s expatriate community to come together and
network in a relaxed atmosphere.
Annual Report 2014 57
chamber activities
17
TH
german
In 2014, more than 1,200 guests at Shanghai’s art deco style
Grand Hyatt in the Jin Mao tower were treated to a night full of
all of the glamour and decadence of 1920s Berlin: the 17th German Ball, Der blaue Engel.
The Ball’s guests made their entrances through a black and red
tunnel decorated with twinkling stars, and entered the foyer,
where as the stars of the evening they were welcomed with
glasses of cold champagne and classic recordings of Marlene Dietrich’s signature songs. Here many guests took the opportunity
to greet old friends and have their pictures taken by professional
photographers at the photo boards. A charming 1920s style tap
routine by U-Turned on the grand staircase officially opened the
second storey ballrooms.
The ballrooms were decorated in colors to reflect the evening’s
theme – blue for Der blaue Engel, red for lipstick and kisses, black
for top hats and cabaret nights, and gold for Marlene’s hair. This
opulent setting was matched by the bounty of the buffet, and
hundreds of dishes tempted the guests, including a fantastic array
of fresh seafood and caviar, a whole suckling pig, numerous live
cooking stations and a whole room dedicated to dozens of desserts.
After the Ballroom guests finished their meals and the Dinner and
Dance guests descended from the 56th floor to join in the festivities, Marlene Dietrich herself entertained the assembled revelers
with a live show – courtesy of Ms. Annika Lund, the Marlene Dietrich Illusion and Mr. Markus Mittermeyer, her pianist.
58 Annual Report 2014
ball
chamber activities
Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Though full of delicious food and engaged by good company,
few of the guests could resist jumping to their feet as the bands
took the stage. Acts included the German bands Backhaus Music
Company and Lounge Society partnering with the local bands
Rolf Becker & Big Band, Felix Lopez & Band, as well as Studio
188 who kept the energy up and the guests dancing until dawn.
For those who had already danced themselves breathless, the
second story lounges offered a welcome retreat: while guests in
the Cigar Lounge enjoyed live jazz of Rm2 Rhythms and smooth
cigars, laughter and conversation enlivened the atmosphere in
the Champagne Lounge. The climax of the evening came at midnight, with the Lucky Draw and the opening of the Midnight
Buffet. Lucky Draw winners received prizes such as international
f lights, stays at luxur y hotels, tickets to an award-winning
musical, and even a 20,000 RMB travel voucher. Nearby, other
guests enjoyed searching out their own pictures from the wall at
the photo sale, or headed upstairs for another round of tempting
snacks.
Silver Sponsors
Beverage Sponsors
Media Partner
Hotel Room Sponsor
Now that this extravagant evening is behind us, the German
Chamber Team would like to extend its special thanks to May
Klug for her invaluable design work, Felix Heimberg for his
charming hosting of the event, and all of the Ball’s wonderful
bands and performers. Thanks to the hard work of the staff at the
Grand Hyatt, the generosity of the sponsors and, above all, the
boundless enthusiasm of the guests, the 17th German Ball was a
resounding success.
Annual Report 2014 59
Neighbouring
chamber activities
Business events
Date
Name
Speaker
Place
18th February
Workshop Suzhou (Human Ressources): Termination of Employment in Jiangsu: Experiences &
Guidelines for Employers
Dr. Iris Duchetsmann | Partner at Clyde & Co
Law Firm
Suzhou
19th February
1st Joint Changzhou Executive Roundtable - Post
Chinese New Year Retention Benchmarking
Ms. Miriam Wickertsheim | Director at Direct
HR, Mr. Dan Krassenstein | Director of Operations, Procon Pacific Packaging
Changzhou
6th March
German Company Briefing of the Municipal
Government of Changzhou 2014
Government Representatives
Changzhou
13th March
2nd Joint Changzhou Executive Roundtable
-Labor Dispatch Law and Labor Union
Mr. Anderson Zhang | Partner, Dacheng Law
Offices Shanghai, Ms. Liu Qian | Of Counsel,
King & Wood Mallesons Shanghai
Changzhou
9th April
Changzhou Roundtable Dinner: Benchmarking
the Local Operating Environment
10th April
Workshop Kunshan: Lean for high-mix, low volume industries - theory and practical approach
Mr. Rainer Voelker, Mr. Thomas-Peter Koller
Kunshan
14th April
Special Event Hangzhou: Am Ostufer des Westsees und westlich des Taihu - Wo steht China
heute? - Ein Jahresrück- und Ausblick
Dr. Wolfgang Röhr | Generalkonsul
Hangzhou
16th April
Workshop Suzhou: Anti-Bribery in China
Mr. Kevin Wang | Partner, CMS, China
Suzhou
15th May
Training in Changzhou (in Chinese): Transforming Technical Professionals into Highly Effective
Team Leaders
Mr. C.J. Ng
Changzhou
21st May
Workshop Suzhou (Legal & Tax): The new ChinaGermany Tax Treaty has been signed! - Opportunities and Challenges for German Companies
Mr. Ulrich Reuter, PhD | Senior Manager, China
Tax & Business Advisory Services, PwC, Mr.
Lukasz Mehl, LL.M. (Taxation) | Manager, China
Tax & Business Advisory Services, PwC
Suzhou
10th June
Workshop Kunshan: Vertragsgestaltung, Sozialversicherung und private Vorsorge für deutsche
Expats
Klaus-Peter von der Eltz | Mag. Sinologie und
Versicherungsfachmann, Dr. Eva Drewes | Rechtsanwältin bei Luther Law Offices, Shanghai
Kunshan
12th June
Workshop Nanjing: Lean for high-mix, low volume industries - theory and practical approach
Mr. Rainer Voelker | Senior Consultant, Staufen.
Shanghai, Mr. Helmut Guesten | General Manager, emz Hanauer (Nanjing) Co.,Ltd.
Nanjing
Sino-German Controlling Salon: Achieving
Excellence in Controlling
Dr. Zhen Huang | Managing partner of Shanghai De Chen Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Mr. Dietmar Pasche | Partner and
Trainer of Controller Akademie AG, Munich and
Graz, Mr. Li Xin | Director Finance Controlling,
Volkswagen Group (China)
Suzhou
13th July
60 Annual Report 2014
Changzhou
Provinces
chamber activities
Date
Name
Speaker
Place
20th June
Business Expansion Forum - Moving Westwards
Various
Suzhou
2nd September
Taicang In-House Seminar: German Visa
Application Support for Chinese Business
Travelers
Ms. Yu Ling | Head of Visa Department, German
Taicang
Industry of Commerce Shanghai
4th September
Workshop Kunshan: R&D and High-tech
Status in China
Mr. Stefan Kracht | Managing Director, Fiducia
Management Consultants, Mr. Liu Caixi | Deputy Kunshan
director, Kunshan Science and Technology Bureau
16th September
Workplace Safety Regulation
Various
Suzhou
24th September
Taicang Strategy Workshop: Insight on the
Economic Development of China and the
APAC Region
Ms. Mary Boyd | Director Shanghai Corporate
Network of The Economist Group
Taicang
10th October
Workshop Kunshan (Construction & Operation): Voith Paper City – Site Visit
Various
Kunshan
27th October
Presentation of the GCC Annual Salary Survey - Changzhou Special Focus
Mr. Max J. Zenglein | Economic Analyst of the
German Chamber of Commerce Greater China
Changzhou
29th October
Presentation of the GCC Annual Salary Survey - Suzhou Special Focus
Mr. Max J. Zenglein | Economic Analyst of the
German Chamber of Commerce Greater China
Suzhou
4th November
Hangzhou Entrepreneur Dinner Series: Growing a Cross-Border Business
Mr. Jesse Yang | President, King Sea International Hangzhou
6th November
Taicang In-House Seminar: Vertragsgestaltung, Sozialversicherung und private Vorsorge für deutsche Expats
Klaus-Peter von der Eltz | Mag. Sinologie und
Versicherungsfachmann, Rainer Burkardt |
Rechtsanwalt
Taicang
26th November
Lunch Briefing with the Changzhou Municipal
Commerce Bureau
Government Representatives
Changzhou
27th November
Workshop Suzhou (Construction & Building
Operation): Process Energy Cost Reduction
Mr. Marijn ten Wolde | Energy and Resource
Efficiency Manager, Bosch Siemens Home
Appliances, Mr. Frank Ralf Mueller | General
Manager, LAR Process Analysers China
Suzhou
27th November
Special Excursion Machine Building & Plant
Construction: TRUMPF Taicang Plant Visit
Taicang
Annual Report 2014 61
chamber activities
Social events
German Chamber Corner - Hangzhou
21st January, 18th February, 18th March, 15th April, 20th
May, 17th June, 15th July, 19th August, 16th September,
21st October,18th November, 16th December
Welcome back to Business
Barbecue Dinner in Suzhou
12th September
Social Gathering German Chamber of
Commerce & AmCham in Hangzhou
11th March, 13th May, 10th June
German Chamber of Commerce &
DUSA Social Gathering in Suzhou
7th January, 11th February, 11th March, 1st April, 6th May,
3rd June, 1st July, 5th August, 2nd September, 7th October,
4th November,2nd December
ChIEF REPResentative visits Anhui
Mr. Jan Noether, Chief Representative of the German Industry &
Commerce Greater China | Shanghai paid a visit to Anhui Province on 19th and 20th March 2014. He was warmly welcomed by
Mr. Zhang Wuyang, Deputy Secretary General of Anhui Provincial People's Government. During the meeting, Mr. Zhang gave an
overview about the industrial and economic situation in Anhui
Province, while Mr. Noether highlighted the increasing importance of East China for German companies.
After the meeting, Mr. Noether visited the
Hefei New & High Technology Industrial Development Zone and the Anhui Light Industry Vocational School. He further visited the
Continental-Reifenwerk Hefei, the key German company in Anhui Province. On the 20 th
March, Mr. Nöther visited Ma’anshan City and
met Mr. Zhang Xiaolin, Party Secretar y of
Ma'anshan Municipal Committee of CPC. Mr. Li
Qun, Chairman of CPPCC Ma’anshan and Mr.
Wang Xiaoyan, Vice Mayor of Ma’anshan also
attended the meeting. Afterwards, they visited
local and German companies in Ma'anshan.
62 Annual Report 2014
social
responsibility
Providing Opportunities
to Youth in Need
The Board of the German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai is
continuing to pursue its objective of increasing the visibility of
German industry in terms of social responsibility. For three years
now, the Pfrang Association in Nanjing has supported more than 50
young high school students. This charity is a nonprofit organization
which contributes to education for underprivileged children in Anhui
and Jiangsu Provinces. It aims to combat social inequality and poor
education, which often is the root of criminal behavior. It cooperates
with the NGO Amity Foundation in Nanjing.
In order to gain insight into the fruits of the charity organization’s
work, a delegation paid a visit to the mountains of Jinzhai County
in Anhui province. Dr. Eva Drewes, who brought her two daughters
with her, and Mr. Rolf Koehler represented the Board of the German
Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. They joined the representative
of the Pfrang Association, Ms. Julia Guesten, and Ms. Wendy Wu
of Amity Foundation to visit the Nanxi High School in Anhui. This
impressive school educates 3,000 high school students, including
students who formerly attended the high school in Banzhouyuan
60km away, which had to be closed. In 2013, the delegation visited 20
students in Banzhouyuan eligible for funding. All of these students
have by now successfully graduated with the help of the donations.
During the second visit in 2014, the delegation met with a new group
of 23 bright young people supported by the German Chamber, and
talked with them about their personal objectives and ambitions. Their
wishes ranged from supporting their families to becoming a journalist
or an engineer. Mr. Koehler explained what the German Chamber
does, awakened their interest in Germany, and gave each student a
Chinese version of the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.“
As the children supported by the Pfrang Association grow, so does
the project. In the near future, the German Chamber of Commerce
Shanghai will expand its efforts with interested companies to widen
and intensify awareness of social integration efforts in China. The
workshop “Business and Society” and a bigger initiative supported by
the Bertelsmann Foundation will provide the platforms for visibility
and participation.
Annual Report 2014 63
special events
chamber activities
2014 was a busy year for the German Chamber of Commerce. The selection of workshops,
social events, and fairs was enriched by the addition of several special business events and
joint events with other chambers and organisations. These included factory visits, cultural
events and special seminars on several topics of interest, such as the Shanghai Free Trade
Zone, Visa Application Support and many more. Through these special events the Chamber gives its members the opportunity to connect with a wider variety of people and topics
and boosts the German business community development in China. The Chamber utilizes
its professional network to organize high-profile business events that unite German, Chinese and international business leaders.
Recruitment in an Intercultural Context: Bridging the Expectations March 5th
of Chinese and International HR Managers
Speaker: Mr. Hsiao J. Chiu | Partner, Shanghai DEININGER Management Consulting/ Managing Partner
DE.NING Management Consulting; Ms. Carol Ji | Project Manager, DE.NING Management Consulting
Special Event: Swiss Chamber / German Chamber Joint Seminar “Trends and Strategies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Speaker: Mr. Sven Kothe | M+R Spedag Group
March 11th
Special Event “Wieder zurück" – China Reflektionen mit der ehem. April 16th
ARD-Shanghai-Korrespondentin Kerstin Lohse
Speaker: Kerstin Lohse | MERICS – Mercator Institute for China Studies,Berlin
China HR Tomorrow - The Summit: The Only HR Summit Focusing April 17th
on German Companies in China!
April 18th, 2014
Setting up a Subsidiary in China: Challenges, Risks and Chances from
German Headquarter and China Branch Perspective
Speakers: Mr. Dieter Mueller | General Manager, Kittelberger (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.;
Mr. Jan Kittelberger | CEO, Kittelberger media solutions GmbH
Moderator:Mr. Andreas Dittrich | Project Manager, German Chamber of Commerce
This workshop focused on the challenges, requirements and chances for establishing
a Chinese subsidiary, using the example of the German service provider and online
agency “Kittelberger media solutions GmbH.” Based on the company’s experience during the last five years, the speakers, Mr. Jan Kittelberger, CEO of the German Headquarter, and Mr. Dieter Mueller, general manager of the Kittelberger Shanghai branch,
addressed major risks and the reasons for making certain decisions during the founding process. This special event attracted more than 80 participants that wanted to
learn from this best practice example and discussed their own experiences with the
two speakers.
64 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
April 23rd, 2014
Special Event Kunshan: Gala Dinner with the German Minister of Economics and Energy Mr. Sigmar Gabriel
Speakers: Mr. Sigmar Gabriel, Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, Vice Chancellor of Germany and
Party Chairman of the SPD
Moderator:Mr. Titus von dem Bongart, Chairman of the Board of the German Chamber Shanghai
Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel in Kunshan
On 23rd April 2014 the German Chamber in China | Shanghai had the honor of welcoming
Mr. Sigmar Gabriel, minister of economic affairs and energy, vice chancellor of Germany
and party chairman of the SPD, at a gala dinner in Kunshan. Leading personalities of business and politics and representatives of the international press accompanied Mr. Gabriel at
this event, such as the president of the DIHK, Dr. Eric Schweitzer, executive representative
of the Voith Group in China, Ms. Liu Mingming, and the chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), Dr. Hubert Lienhard. German political leaders accompanying the minister were amongst others the former minister of defense, Mr. Rudolf Scharping, and the former minister of economics and technology, Mr. Michael Glos.
Special Event: “Packaging: Corrosion Protection for Transport and Storage – How to do this in China and why”
Speaker: Mr. Robert Lipsky | General Manager of Glo Pack (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
May 21st
Workshop "Vertragsgestaltung, Sozialversicherung und private Vorsorge May 27th
für deutsche Expats"
Speaker: Klaus-Peter von der Eltz | Mag. Sinologie und Versicherungsfachmann; Dr. Iris Duchetsmann | Rechtsanwältin bei der internationalen Kanzlei Clyde & Co. in Shanghai
June 12th, 2014
Special Event Shanghai Free Trade Zone with Zhu Min, Deputy Director
General of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Speakers: Mr. Peter Kompalla | Deputy Chief Representative, AHK Vietnam/German Industry and Commerce Vietnam
Mr. Anton Pietsch | General Manager, BME Shanghai Co. Ltd.; Mr. Niels Delater, Founder & CEO, Spectos GmbH
Moderator:Mr. Jan Noether | Chief Representative, Delegation of German Industry & Commerce Shanghai;
President & CEO, German Chamber of Commerce in China | Shanghai
The Chinese Government considers the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone (SPFTZ) to be part
of its long-term strategy to shift the growth model to a more open and innovative economy. The SPFTZ will serve as a testing ground for economic reforms of increasing market
access, opening the financial sector and simplifying administrative and fiscal processes.
The presentation of Mr. Zhu Min provided an overview of the already implemented reforms in the SPFTZ. He was very open in discussing the strategy for the further development of the zone, and in outlining the opportunities offered to international companies.
The main objectives of the Pilot FTZ are to transform the role of the government, create
an international and rule-based business climate and explore new ways for the nation’s
reform and opening-up undertaking. More than 150 participants took part in the event.
Air Pollution Control in Shanghai: What can be done to clear the Haze?
July 3rd
Speaker: Dr. PEI Bing | Senior Engineer, Atmospheric Monitoring Division, Shanghai Environmental Monitoring
Center
German Visa Application Support for Chinese Business TravelersAugust 7th
Speaker: Ms. Yu Ling | Head of Visa Department, German Industry of Commerce Shanghai
Annual Report 2014 65
chamber activities
Special Excursion Automotive: Volkswagen Plant Visit
September 4th
Speaker: Mr. Bernd Pichler Director Sales, VW Marketing & Sales Business Division, Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive
September 17th, 2014
Special Event "After the crisis: A better future for the Euro-zone?"
Speakers:Dr. Joerg Kraemer | Chief Economist of the Commerzbank AG
Italian and Spanish government bonds yields have never been lower since the introduction of the Euro. Dr. Joerg Kraemer, Chief Economist of Commerzbank, highlighted
what the the sovereign debt crisis means for the future of the Eurozone and how it
could be ended. Countries such as Spain have regained their price competitiveness,
but Italy still rejects the necessary reforms. Moreover, the loose monetary policy of
the ECB is likely to create new problems in Germany. Dr. Kraemer also gave his perspective on the Asian economies and explained Commerzbank’s outlook for bond
yields and currencies.
Strategy Workshop "Insight on the Economic Development of China and the APAC Region"
Speaker: Ms. Mary Boyd | Director Shanghai Corporate Network of The Economist Group
September 24th
Special Event: Präsentation des EU Positionspapiers 2014/2015October 15th
Speaker: Martin Kraemer | Vorstandsmitglied, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Shanghai
Workshop „Richtig versichert im Ausland? Worauf deutsche „Expatriates“October 21st
in China achten sollten“
Speaker: Sven Janßen | Versicherungsmakler, Hofmann Versicherungsvermittlungs GmbH
The 13th Sino-German Job Fair on November 7th and 8th in Shanghai
November 7-8th
November 25th, 2014
2nd Sino-German Controlling Forum: "Controlling For Growth"
Speakers: Ms. Fu Fangping | United Automotive Electronics Systems;
Mr. Yanik Kiermeier | Finance Manager, Schenck Shanghai Machinery Co., Ltd;
Mr. Dirk Lange | Managing Director, Duravit China;
Mr. Jason Ma | Partner, Express Finance Solutions (Shanghai);
Mr. Enrico Turchet | CFO, Shanghai Brose Electric Motors Co., Ltd;
Ms. Robyn Wang | Partner Advisory, Ernst & Young;
Ms. Dr. Zhou Shuqin | CFO, Krones China
Moderators: Mr. Christoph Angerbauer, Acting President & CEO, German Chamber of Commerce Shanghai
Dr. Zhen Huang, Managing Partner, Shanghai De Chen Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd.;
Mr. Lukasz Mehl, Manager, Tax Services - China Tax & Business Advisory Services, PwC;
Mr. Alexander Prautzsch, Director, Tax Services - China Tax & Business Advisory Services, PwC
Under the headline “Controlling for growth,” the 2nd Sino-German Controlling Forum 2014 addressed the challenges of building efficient accounting and controlling practices for operations
in China. With over 120 participants, the forum provided a lively platform for dialogue and exchange. It focused on professional controlling practices with seven high-level speakers from the
manufacturing and financial service industries. Two keynote speeches by Ms. Fu from United
Automotive Electronics Systems and Mr. Turchet from Brose showed how improved controlling
operations could contribute to profitability and growth. After five other presentations, the conference was wrapped up in a final panel discussion. With seven presentations, in-depth Q&A
sessions and plenty of opportunities for networking and exchange, the forum offered valuable
insights for improving controlling practices and supporting future growth in China.
66 Annual Report 2014
chamber activities
November 27th, 2014
Special Excursion Machine Building & Plant Construction:
TRUMPF Taicang Plant Visit
Speakers: Mr. Peter Hafner | Vice President Production, TRUMPF (China) Co., Ltd.
The excursion to TRUMPF in Taicang, a globally leading company in the areas of sheet
metal processing machines, laser technology and electronics, provided the participants with
a number insights of the machinery industry in China. The visit began with a plant tour,
which was guided by Mr. Peter Hafner, vice president production of TRUMPF China. During
the tour he introduced the history of the company in China and worldwide and the production process of different machines. During the plant visit, the participants were able to see
many of the TRUMPF machines in action. After the plant tour Mr. Hafner gave a presentation on the TRUMPF Group. He outlined the development of the German family-owned company worldwide in recent years and explained the success factors for its operations in China.
How to apply for a German Business Visa? November 27th
Speaker: Ms. Susanne Koester | Head of Visa Section, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Shanghai; Ms. Laura Okoye | Visa Section, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Shanghai; Mr. Sven Wechsung | Visa Section, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Shanghai
4th Sino German Communication Forum Shanghai “Corporate Publishing in ChinaDecember 16th
Speaker: Ms. Sue Zhu | Head of Corporate Communications, Voith Corporate Management; Ms. Kerstin Kaehler | Executive Secretary to CEO, German Centre Shanghai
OTHER EVENTS
German Chamber of
Commerce in Shanghai signs
MOU with AmCham
On 20 th February a delegation led by Mr. Kenneth Jarrett, president of the American Chamber of
Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham), was welcomed by Mr. Jan Noether, president and CEO of the
German Chamber of Commerce in China | Shanghai.
On this occasion, Mr. Jarrett and Mr. Noether signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the
friendship and the collaboration of the AmCham and the
German Chamber of Commerce. An essential aspect of the
MoU is collaboration in Shanghai’s neighboring provinces,
which will be intensified in the future. Following the
signing Mr. Jarrett was taken on a tour through the
premises of the AHK. After this delightful meeting, we
can expect a successful collaboration and an extension of
our services to our members in the provinces.
Annual Report 2014 67
OUTLOOK
ON 2015
chamber activities
AHK Shanghai
welcomes new
Delegate!
As of 1st February 2015, Ms. Simone Pohl assumed the role
of Delegate and Chief Representative of the Delegation of
German Industry & Commerce in Shanghai and Executive
Director and Board Member of the German Chamber of
Commerce in China Shanghai.
Prior to joining the AHK in Shanghai, Ms. Pohl served in
various roles at the German American Chamber of Commerce
of the Midwest in Chicago, acting as the President and CEO
from 2006 - 2015. Before moving to the US, she worked for 8
years in the hospitality industry in Munich, Germany.
What are we planning
for 2015?
• Developing our Corporate Citizenship Campaign and engaging more deeply in CSR
• Expanding our presence and broadening our service offerings in the provinces
• Implementing the new membership structure 2015
• Renewing MoUs and cooperation agreements with other Chambers and business
organizations
• Expanding our social media presence
• Increasing the number of Chinese-language events
• Holding a member satisfaction survey so that we can provide even better services
to our members
68 Annual Report 2013
Imprint
Publisher
German Chamber of Commerce in China • Shanghai
25/F China Fortune Tower
1568 Century Avenue, 2000122 Shanghai
Tel + 86 21 5081 2266
Fax +86 21 5081 2009
www.china.ahk.de
Concept and Authors
Ms. Olivia Helvadjian – Communications Manager
Dr. Annika Beifuss – Communications Project Manager
German Chamber of Commerce in China • Shanghai
Imprint
Fido’s
Feeling
Feverish?
Layout & Design
Ms. Fang Fang – Manager
Ms. Li Ye – Designer
Design Services of German Industry &
Commerce • Shanghai
Check Your
Benefits.
Exclusive discounts on
healthcare for your whole family
are available to members of the
German Chamber of Commerce
in China.
Learn more at
http://china.ahk.de/chamber/
benefit-partner/
Your Partner for Your Sino-German Business Success.
Support.
Facilitate.
Inform.
Represent.
ANNUAL
REPORT
2014
The German Chamber of Commerce in China would like to thank its Yearly Sponsors of the year 2014
Shanghai