CEIBS has played an important role in strengthening ties between China and the EU over the past 21 years. A CEIBS alumnus donated €500,000 to establish a research fund at CEIBS to promote the study of global private equity investment. CEIBS has also benefited from the EU-China BMT Project which provided exchange scholarships and training. Through initiatives like these, CEIBS has helped advance the relationship between China and the EU and will continue to play a key role in the decades to come.

1. CEIBS,
The EU & China
By Charmaine N Clarke
O
n August 28, CEIBS alumnus and President of Cathay Capital Private
Equity Cai Mingpo announced that his company will donate €500,000
to establish the Cathay Global PE Research Fund at CEIBS. It was the
latest in a series of initiatives, over the years, that have underscored
CEIBS’ importance in Sino-European ties. By promoting the study of global
private equity investment, along with the innovations taking place, the
fund will have far reaching implications. It will also complement
Cathay Capital’s Sino French Innovation Fund, a new cross-border
investment vehicle dedicated to venture capital financing for
innovative start-ups. Focused on activities in France,
China and the United States, the innovation fund will
invest up to €25 million in about 18 Internet
related projects.
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2. Cai’s company is just one of the many CEIBS alumni
ventures that have invested billions of euro and created
thousands of jobs in Europe since the school’s launch in
1994. “Though CEIBS is still a young business school, the
impact that our alumni have had, and continue to have,
on the vital Sino-European relationship is impressive,”
says CEIBS Chinese President Professor Li Mingjun.
“Their accomplishments reassure us that we are making a
difference.” Of the almost 200 CEIBS alumni working in
Europe, about 88% are at management level while the rest
– like Cai – are running their own businesses. Meanwhile,
there are more than 100 European alumni working in China.
Some of them stayed after studies funded by scholarships
such as those provided under the EU-China BMT Project.
From left: Professors Zhang Weijiong, Pedro Nueno, Li Mingjun & Ding Yuan.
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3. Working in collaboration with three other academic partners – European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD),
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management (FS), and IESE School of Business – CEIBS won the bid for the €10.1 million
BMT Project in 2007.“In 1984, when CEIBS’ predecessor CEMI was set up to provide much needed management education
in China, the EU provided scholarships for many of the students in its all-Chinese class,” says CEIBS European President
Professor Pedro Nueno.“The BMT project was a natural progression in the Sino-European relationship.”
The BMT’s goal: to provide the educational base needed to support business in facilitating China’s social and economic
reform, a move that would ultimately create lasting relationships between the Chinese and European economies and benefit
both sides. It is, after all, in the interest of both parties to see the other do well. According to EU data, EU-China bilateral
trade in goods reached €467.5 billion in 2014, up from €428.1 billion in 2013. EU imports from China were worth €302.5
billion, while EU exports to China reached €165 billion. The EU is China’s biggest trading partner, accounting for 14% of
China’s external trade. Meanwhile China is the EU’s second biggest trading partner, after the US.
The China-EU relationship has never been more promising and full of
opportunities. Despite the lower GDP growth environment, the China
development story is still in its early years and promising. The slowdown
of GDP growth is a sign of maturity: you have to slow down before taking
a major turn. A weaker quantitative growth can be a stronger qualitative
one if it is more harmonious, more respectful of the environment and less
dependent on low cost exports.
China is coming out of its “factory of the world” model to become a
full market offering much more than low production costs. It is already
a major hub for many European companies but the potential is still
considerable, especially in areas such as consumer goods, services,
healthcare, clean tech, etc.
The rise of Chinese consumers also creates a favourable ecosystem for
innovation with the emergence of new uses and needs through the
mobile internet revolution. Innovation has a huge impact on economies
and business models, and our vision at Cathay is that companies need
to connect to the key networks in Europe, Asia and the United States
in order to accelerate their international growth. With our focus on
innovation, we are pleased to collaborate with CEIBS on projects such
as the recently-launched Cathay Global PE Research Fund as the school
continues to provide management education to business executives such
as myself and the next generation of business leaders who will help shape
the China-EU relationship.
Cai Mingpo (EMBA 2004, CEO 2009)
President of Cathay Capital Private Equity
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4. The time I spent studying at CEIBS is particularly memorable. I treasured the
atmosphere there, which was an integration of East and Western cultures. It was at
the school that I learned that frankness and innovation were important aspects of the
European approach. I also deepened my understanding of Chinese culture, especially
its characteristic depth and tolerance. My career was greatly enhanced by the lessons
taught through a combination of East and Western elements, which gave me an
international perspective and the sophistication to lead an enterprise.
My company Schneider Electric is a European enterprise which originated in France
and has been rooted in China for almost 30 years. It is one of the foreign companies
with the greatest achievements in localising for the Chinese market, and is a paradigm
of the blend between Chinese and European corporate cultures.
From my personal experience, and the success of Schneider Electric, I can tell there’s
marvellous synergy between Chinese and European cultures. Once the two cultures
are combined, immense power can be unleashed.
After two thousand years, the exchanges between China and Europe have grown
stronger, tens of times more than that in ancient times. We are fully convinced that
the exchanges between China and Europe would give birth to even more splendour in
the years ahead.
I am honoured to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of China-Europe ties together with
my alma mater, and witness a brand new milestone of this miracle.
Zhu Hai (EMBA 2001)
President of Schneider Electric
China and Schneider Electric Global
Executive Vice President
It is no surprise, then, that both sides have regular discussions aimed at
strengthening their relationship. In fact, there are more than 60 high level
and senior level dialogues, working groups and steering committees that
focus on issues such as foreign policy, security and defence, cyber, high
tech, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. The latter is also a
component of the EU-China 2020 Agenda for Cooperation which lays
out the framework for relations between both sides over the next five
years. It covers everything from cultural to educational initiatives and
CEIBS has done its fair share in advancing this agenda. The school’s
EU Days have served up everything from thought-provoking lectures to wine tastings. Meanwhile, the BMT Project
provided more than 100 exchange scholarships for MBA students across Europe and China between 2008 and 2012. It also
made it possible for another 60+ students from China’s inner regions to enrol in the CEIBS MBA, and provided modern
business management training to more than 400 mid-level professionals from the Western, Central and North-Eastern
regions of China.
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5. In addition to scholarships for participants from
both sides, plus developing and providing business
management training in China, other aspects of
the BMT included strengthening academic and
corporate interactions as well as boosting the EU’s
visibility in China. This included everything from
research by CEIBS faculty to forums hosted on its
campuses (see “Boosting EU Visibility in China”).
“Over the years, there have been many other tangible
expressions of the strong ties between China
and the EU and the role that CEIBS has played
in strengthening those bonds. CEIBS faculty, for
example, have played a significant role in creating
and disseminating knowledge on Sino-European
issues,” says CEIBS Vice President and Dean
Professor Ding Yuan. Under the four-year-long BMT
Like all relationships that span four decades, the one between the
EU and China has seen good times and there have been shared
values, accompanied by difficult times and severe differences.
Reflecting on the last 4 decades brings us to think about what the
future holds for this union.
The economic ties between China and Europe will only get stronger,
whether in terms of Chinese-made products coming to Europe, or
European luxury goods purchased by Chinese consumers. However,
while there was plenty of room for expansion over the last few decades,
today’s difficult economic situation has brought us closer to a zero-sum
game. The single biggest challenge for this partnership, going forward,
is trust and credibility on both sides. Europeans need to see China as
a partner and a potential engine for economic growth in the coming
years. At the same time, the Chinese need to enhance their institutional
credibility, assuring Europe (and the world) that all companies will be
treated equally in China, there will be no discrimination against foreign
players and that China will not engage in short-term economic policies.
Forty years is a short time in international diplomacy and both sides are still
in the phase of building trust. If this is done within the next 5-10 years, we will
be looking at a period of mutual growth and prosperity for both sides. There
is a lot that can done by CEIBS and its alumni, in the years ahead, to foster
the EU China relationship: academic exchange and the sharing of knowledge,
the strengthening of networks between business executives on both sides, and
providing a platform for continued dialogue and debate. These will all help to
build mutual understanding and trust. I am eager to see what comes next.
Guillaume de Colonges (GCPT14)
CEO, Carrefour, Turkey
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6. As a CEIBS alumnus, I am honoured to have studied at a business school established with investments
from China and the EU. We’re also honoured that BIOSTIME is now a corporate partner for CEIBS
Centre for Globalisation of Chinese Companies. We provide a vivid case of China-French acquisition
for the research centre, and we receive advice and support from the centre’s faculty. In the future we will
deepen our collaboration with the research centre, and continue to explore the “going global” strategies
for Chinese companies through our initiatives. We hope to be able to help more of “China’s capital” and
“Europe’s resource” successfully combine and profit.
Since its inception in 2000, BIOSTIME has collaborated with French companies. It’s one of our visions
to bring premium French baby milk powder to the Chinese people. In 2013, BIOSTIME invested in
the French milk company ISM. We did this because we value the prime local resource, Normandy AOP
milk source, and because of the advanced milk processing techniques of the French company. In the
future we’d like to look further into the development potential of the investment model of “resource +
technology”, in order to inspire more Chinese companies that wish to go into Europe.
Luo Fei (EMBA 2006)
Chairman and CEO of BIOSTIME
International Holdings Co Ltd
Project alone, more than 16 research papers were written by faculty
who also supervised more than 60 EU-China related research papers
by students. Over the years, CEIBS faculty have also been frequently
quoted in the media on European and/or China-EU issues. As a
result, they have helped shape public debate on topics ranging from
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7. doing business in China to stagflation in Europe (see section
called “In the Media”). At the same time, CEIBS has also been
a meeting place and platform for leading global executives –
many of them from Europe and China – who, as part of the
school’s International Advisory Board (IAB) meet annually
to advise school leaders on strategic issues. IAB meetings
are invariably shaped by global economic affairs and these
gatherings provide an opportunity for some of the world’s
best business minds to frankly share their views.
Only 21 years old, CEIBS has become synonymous with the
EU-China relationship. A stop at its campuses in China’s
economic and political capitals – Shanghai and Beijing – is
often on the agenda of visiting European officials. A look
back at the school’s history also shows numerous visits by
high-ranking Chinese government officials (see related story
“Remember When…”). CEIBS’ value is obviously not lost on
those who recognise the importance of the Sino-European
relationship. During his term as European Commission
President, Manuel Barosso described CEIBS as “a very
successful symbol of cooperation between the EU and
China”. In 2008, speaking at the EU-China Business Summit,
When I look at the next decades of the China-EU relationship,
I would expect a significant increase in knowledge transfer from
China towards the EU. Over the years, a lot of the discussion has
been around bringing knowledge from the EU to China. I’m truly
convinced, though, that the EU can benefit from a lot more than
just economic ties and that we will see a lot more knowledge from
China coming into the EU.
Business, as well as general cross-cultural cooperation, starts with
establishing a common understanding for each other. Connecting
people, establishing relationships based on mutual trust is key to
further strengthening the relationship between China and the EU.
Institutions such as CEIBS are and will continue to be of increasing
importance in establishing strong connections.
However, maintaining cooperation is, like any relationship, hard
work. Both sides have to demonstrate that they want it. And
obviously, any good relationship needs to have a strong base of
mutual values. The challenge will be to keep on working on the
China-EU relationship when times are difficult. Especially tough
times will show if the China-EU relationship is strong enough to be
more than just economic ties. I truly hope it is.
Oliver Bruns (MBA 2006)
Managing Director
Coveris Flexibles Deutschland GMBH
Warburg, Germany
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8. Konstantinos Derdemezis (GCPT15)
South East Europe Executive Regional Director
Titan Cement Company SA
Athens, Greece
In an increasingly interconnected international landscape faced with a series of acute
and impactful global challenges, it is of extreme importance that two of the main
global actors, the EU and China, further deepen their relationship and strengthen
cooperation on multiple fronts with the aim to promote peace, prosperity and
balanced growth. In spite of the progress made over the last 40 years, grave multi-
faceted risks such as climate change, terrorism, changing demographics, proliferation
of nuclear and chemical weapons, obstacles to trade and elusive sustainable
development need to be further addressed in pursuit of common development of
China, the EU and the rest of the world.
With trade remaining the primary driver of China-EU relations, stronger emphasis
could be placed on facilitating maximum access to each other’s markets and lifting
existing barriers which hinder movement of goods, capital and services. Apart from
the obvious mutual economic benefits, the EU will be able to additionally tap into
the potential of China’s growing middle class while at the same time human capital
from China may play a decisive role in mitigating the phenomenon of Europe’s aging
population. Leveraging on its learning curve, accumulated experiences and already
applied practices, the EU could transfer know-how and support in helping China
deal with the intensifying need for introducing all-inclusive social systems (e.g. social
insurance, healthcare, etc.) as well as with the Asian country’s increasing urbanisation
and the range of associated challenges.
To complement these initiatives, both sides will need business leaders who recognise
the significance of EU-China ties as well as the potential opportunities and synergies
that are ahead. For more than two decades, CEIBS has played an important role in
that regard. It will be a role that is increasingly important in the decades to come.
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9. then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao ended his speech by saying,“China will
continue to cooperate with the European Union in the areas of education
and science. Our previous agreements have led to obvious, positive
results. The China Europe International Business School is an example of
this. CEIBS has become an incubator for excellent business leaders.”
The CEIBS community knows a lot is expected of it.
“The challenge now is for CEIBS to build on the solid foundation it
has laid over the last 21 years in order to remain relevant in shaping the
next 40 decades of EU-China ties. It is a challenge that the entire CEIBS
community eagerly accepts,” says CEIBS Vice President & Co-Dean
Professor Zhang Weijiong.
Today’s Europe is challenged by an influx of refugees and economic
volatility. China is challenged by a slowdown in growth and
adjustment of the RMB, and its roller coaster stock market.
Meanwhile the entire world has a huge challenge over the coming
decades to stop global warming – and hopefully work together across
continents, nations and people.
While the European Union is not united in all political issues, along
the broad lines Europe can work in a concerted way, together with
China. They have done so in the past. Together they can lead the
world into a better environment, one with more responsible business,
and where new productive ways of cross continent collaboration
among states will be invented between China and Europe. We all live
in the same world – we are in the same boat – and the Chinese and
European governments understand that only together can we change
the world. It is the EU and China’s responsibility to act; it is also up
to us, as individuas, to take an active part in delivering practical
solutions. CEIBS, a common bridge between both sides, will be relied
on to play its role as well: providing China-specific knowledge and
training business executives who can help both China and the EU
make the changes needed that will impact all our lives.
Simon Lichtenberg (SEPC)
CEO Trayton Group/Simon
Li Furniture
Shanghai
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10. We have come a long way; the relationship between China and Europe has
become stronger over the past 40 years.
I anticipate that in the next four decades it will be even stronger. The EU is
already China’s biggest trading partner and the amount of direct investment
and tourism is ever increasing. At the same time, there is still a lot we can
learn from each other and we should use this anniversary as an opportunity
to have deeper – and also more challenging – conversations with each other.
Personally I am excited about the opportunity that China will present to
the EU, and I am looking forward to many happy interactions with friends
and potential business partners in China over the next 40 years. I am also
looking forward to seeing how CEIBS will build on the tremendous role it
has already played in supporting the EU-China relationship.
Thorsten Seeger (MBA 2005)
Head of SME - Financial Markets
Lloyds Banking Group
London
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