Explore the nexus of politics and economics between China and the European Union! Join us at SWPS University in Warsaw for a dynamic panel discussion uncovering the impact of recent policy shifts on European businesses in China. Do not miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from industry experts: Jean-Pierre Cabestan, Jens Eskelund, Alicia García Herrero and Françoise Nicolas.
Analyzing China-EU Dynamics
In recent years, political decisions have increasingly influenced the manufacturing sector and international trade in both China and the European Union. China has implemented risk-management strategies, regulatory measures, and security policies, while the EU has adopted screening and de-risking strategies. These changes have generated tension between the two partners. However, maintaining high levels of economic and technological cooperation remains crucial for both of them.
Our panel of experts will delve into the specific policies introduced by China and the EU over the past three years and examine their impact on European companies operating in China. Drawing on the latest research from the China Horizons (DWARC) and ReConnect China research consortia, as well as the report "Riskful Thinking: Navigating the Politics of Economic Security" recently published by the European Chamber in China and the China Macro Group, the panel will address critical questions:
- Will politicians further weaponize the economy?
- Will companies struggle to thrive in this environment?
- Can European businesses maintain competitiveness in the Chinese market?
Join Europe’s leading China experts and business practitioners for an insightful discussion.
The event will be held in a hybrid format, allowing attendees to participate either in-person or online.
The discussion will be conducted in English.
Panelists
Jean-Pierre Cabestan
Professor
Is Senior Researcher Emeritus at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (Centre national de la recherche scientifique), affiliated with the French Research Institute on East Asia (IFRAE) of the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco). He is also a Professor Emeritus at Hong Kong Baptist University and a Senior Researcher at Asia Centre in Paris. Additionally, he serves as an Associate Research Fellow at the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China in Hong Kong and as a Non-Resident Visiting Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Washington DC. His most recent publication is Facing China: The Prospect for War and Peace (2023, Rowman & Littlefield). Jean-Pierre has authored numerous articles and contributions in English on China's political system and reform, Chinese law, China’s foreign and security policies, relations across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese politics, and Sino-African relations. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Paris 1 (Panthéon-Sorbonne).
Jens Eskelund
Holds an M.A. in philosophy and has studied at the University of Aarhus and the University of Texas at Austin. He also pursued studies in Chinese at Renmin University in Beijing. Beginning his career in China in 1998 as a student, Jens Eskelund worked as a Commercial Officer at the Danish Embassy to China before assuming a position in marketing for Maersk Line in Beijing in 2000. He has since held positions as General Manager for Public Affairs for Maersk Line in China and later as Director of Public Affairs for North Asia. Currently, he serves as Chief Representative for Maersk in the Greater China Area and North-East Asia. Jens Eskelund's primary focus areas include engaging government entities, institutions, trade associations, and Chinese enterprises on matters of policy, regulatory environment, decarbonization, and business development on behalf of the companies within the Maersk Group. He is a former Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China as well as the Maritime Working Group of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC). Active in the EUCCC since 2001, Jens Eskelund was elected president of the EUCCC in May 2023.
Alicia García Herrero
Ph.D.
Holds multiple prestigious positions: she is the Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis CIB, an independent Board Member of AGEAS insurance group, a Senior Fellow at the European think-tank BRUEGEL, a non-resident Senior Fellow at the East Asian Institute (EAI) of the National University Singapore (NUS), an Adjunct Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), an advisor to the Spanish government on economic affairs, a Member of the Board of the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation (CAPRI), a member of the Advisory Board of the Berlin-based Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), an advisor to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's research arm (HKIMR) and a Member of the Council of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation (FUF). Alicia is very active in international media, such as BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, and CNN, as well as social media platforms like LinkedIn and X. In recognition of her thought leadership, she was included in LinkedIn's Top Voices in Economy and Finance list in 2017 and ranked #6 top social media leader by Refinitiv in 2020.
Françoise Nicolas
Ph.D.
Is a Senior Advisor to the Center for Asian Studies at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) and a member of the ReConnect China research consortium. She also teaches at Langues'O (Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales), Paris 8 University (French Institute of Geopolitics) and Sciences Po Lyon.