The 2007 educational journey to Shanghai offered insights into investment opportunities and challenges in China. We visited a number of companies and institutions in and around Shanghai to engage in talks with interesting personalities in the banking and manufacturing sectors. We departed from Europe on Friday, May 11th, 2007. The academic program in Shanghai started on Monday, May 14th, and our last appointment was scheduled for the afternoon of May 18th. We arrived back in Europe on Sunday, May 20th.
Saturday May 12th, 2007
Departure Europe – Arrival Shanghai
We boarded China Eastern MU220 on Friday, May 11th 2007 at 2:40 p.m. from Frankfurt to Shanghai. Connecting flights from Zürich, Munich, Vienna and Friedrichshafen took the participants to Frankfurt/M. We arrived Shanghai on Saturday, May 12 2007 at 07:00 a.m. The “Transrapid”, one of the fastest trains worldwide (430 km/h), took us from the airport to downtown Shanghai. We were met by a bus at main station, which was available for our group for the whole week. After a short break, a short city tour gave us a first impression of the surroundings of Shanghai. We enjoyed great views of the Skyline of the modern Pudong district from the riverbanks. After lunch we had time to relax or discover Shanghai on our own.Sunday, May 13, 2007
Day off
On our day off we had the chance to visit the Jade-Buddha-Temple, the old Yu district with the world-famous Yu Gardens of the Ming-age, the plaza of Shanghai, as well as the exposition of architecture in Shanghai.
Monday May 14th, 2007
Tongji University is one of the leading universities in Business and Architecture in China and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007. At 9:00 am, Prof. Dr. Chen Weizhong gave us an introduction into the Chinese financial markets. Regulation of the Chinese financial markets and investment opportunities for foreign investors were discussed. Prof. Chen Weizhong also invited us for a short campus tour with lunch on campus.
German Consulate
At 3:00 pm, Dr. Peter Kreuzberger, German Consul in Shanghai, gave a speech on the importance of the economic, political and cultural relationships between China and Germany, respectively Europe. Dr. Peter Kreuzberger also discussed problems associated with starting a business in China.
Rotary Club Meeting
We met at 7:00 pm in the Shanghai Hotel lobby. Frank Yih and Thomas Adaemmer of Rotary Club Shanghai accompanied us to dinner at Wanxihe restaurant. Frank Yih, Chairman of the Board & Managing Director of Asionics Shanghai Ltd., is the most experienced IC pioneer and electronics entrepreneur in the Asian world. He personally contributed to the economic miracles of the “Three dynamic dragons” in Hong Kong, Tawain and Singapore. After sharing his experiences, he was happy to answer our questions about his life as a leading business person in Asia.
Tuesday May 15th, 2007
Thyssen Krupp Presta
At 9:00 am, Mr. Sébastion Baran and Mrs. Haiyan Chen from Thyssen Krupp Presta Shanghai showed us a short presentation about Thyssen Krupp Presta Shanghai and their business in China. After this first overview, challenges in China were discussed and market strategies and future expectations in the automotive supplier market were addressed. A plant tour rounded off our visit.
Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co.
At 1:30 pm we started our visit to the well-known Volkswagen joint venture in Shanghai. Dr. Yimin Hu, Manager of the General Secretary Department and assistant to the Managing Directors, introduced the company’s history and status. He also illustrated change management activities and strategies of Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive. Additionally, one of his German colleagues shared his experiences of working in a Sino-German Joint Venture.
Wednesday May 16, 2007
Suzhou and Tongli
On Wednesday we visited Suzhou and Tongli. Tongli is an old river village with canals, bridges and typical small Chinese houses derived from the Ming and Quing age. Souzhou is famous for its gardens and mug productions.
Thursday May 17, 2007
Shanghai Stock Exchange
At 9:00, Prof. Dr. Chen Weizhong accompanied us to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Regulations of the Shanghai stock exchange market as well as listing requirements were explained. Moreover, we discussed the importance of SSE in China and the development of market capitalisation.
Deutsche Bank
Alan Chan, Business Manager for Private Wealth Management, gave an overview of the banking sector as well as the business areas of Deutsche Bank in China in the morning. After addressing the potential of private wealth management in China, challenges for wealth management in this geographic area were highlighted.
Chinese Bank
At 3:00 pm, Prof. Dr. Chen Weizhong accompanied us to a Chinese Bank. There we learnt about the current banking services provided in China, the specific services offered in Private Banking, and the expectations concerning the market volume of Private Banking in China.
Friday May 18, 2007
HSBC Jintrust Fund Management Company Limited
At 10:00 am, Vivienne Chan gave a presentation about HSBC Jintrust Fund Management Company Limited and discussed restrictions of mutual funds in China and the market management and local asset management of their funds. Mrs. Vivienne Chan and Mr. Dong Wang, Head of Finance, were open to our questions after the presentation.
Guotai Junan Allianz Fund Management Co., Ltd.
Our last meeting of this exciting week took place with Guotai Junan of Allianz Fund Management Co. Ltd., the first Joint Venture fund management company to acquire the preparatory permit in China. At 2:00 pm, Mr. Chiang Hsien, CEO, gave a short presentation of Guotai Junan Allianz Fund Management and discussed regulations of the fund business in China. We also talk about the company’s products and expectations of their investments in China.
Farewell Dinner
On Friday evening we finish the academic part of this exceptional educational journey with our farewell dinner.
Saturday May 19, 2007
Departure Shanghai – Arrival Europe
We boarded Chinese Eastern MU219 flight on Saturday, May 19th 2007 at 11:55 p.m. from Shanghai airport to Frankfurt airport. We arrived at Frankfurt airport at 05:05 a.m.