China Corner Office

Key issues in U.S.-China business relations in 2023: How to de-risk without decoupling

The China Project — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 20:18:09 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Craig Allen, President of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), about the future outlook of different business sectors in 2023, in part based on his visit to China in late 2022. While Craig is optimistic about the rapid growth of the agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and consumer goods and services sectors, he noted that the aerospace and tech sectors are a different story. They discussed U.S.-China positioning in the tech sector and the recent establishment of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, the first select committee directed against a foreign political party. Craig pointed out that both countries should seek to de-risk rather than de-couple, in order to harness the benefits of interconnection between the world’s two largest economies while managing the risk of interdependence. They concluded with the topic of student exchange, an area they both deemed critical to foster conversation between the U.S. and China. A complete transcript of this podcast is available at TheChinaProject.com.

‘Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts,’ with Jeremy Wallace

The China Project — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 18:19:13 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis discusses information control with Jeremy Wallace, associate professor in the Department of Government at Cornell University. Jeremy is the author of the new book Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts: Information, Ideology, and Authoritarian Rule in China. Jeremy discusses how a communist party came to justify itself through GDP statistics and why they have shifted away from this focus recently. Also discussed is how and why cadres falsify data and the techniques researchers use to identify manipulated statistics. Jeremy also reflects on the centralization and personalization of Xi’s power and the recent COVID protests, connecting the contemporary issues he studies with a rich set of historical cases including the Great Leap Forward, the Democracy Wall Movement and the Tian’anmen protests.

The performative state: China’s environmental governance, COVID lockdowns, and more

The China Project — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 17:00:03 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis discusses environmental governance in China with Iza Ding, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh and author of the recent book The Performative State: Public Scrutiny and Environmental Governance in China. Iza explained how performative and substantive governance can diverge and discussed her on-the-ground research both in China and beyond. Iza provided an overview of the trajectory of China’s environmental protection efforts and the effects of the recent COP27 meeting. She also gave her assessment of the current state of environmentalism in China. The discussion concluded with Iza providing her thoughts on how the economic slowdown and the outcome of the 20th Party Congress will affect the future of China’s environmental governance. A transcript of this podcast is available at TheChinaProject.com.

The U.S.-China tech battle from the inside: the experience of ZTE’s former general counsel

The China Project — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 19:00:48 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Ashley Yablon, the former general counsel for the Chinese technology company ZTE. Ashley discusses how he uncovered an illegal scheme at ZTE to sell billions of dollars worth of surveillance equipment to embargoed countries, and provided other details of his experience which were recently featured in his book Standing Up to China: How a Whistleblower Risked Everything for His Country. Also in the show is the effect of the current political climate on Chinese tech companies, with Ashley commenting on the CHIPS and Science Act and the legal approach of Chinese state-owned tech companies such as Huawei and ZTE. The episode concludes with Ashely offering legal advice on how to safeguard U.S. interests when interacting with Chinese companies. A complete transcript of this podcast is available on TheChinaProject.com.

‘Seeing the Unseen’: Lessons from Chinese tech companies’ global venturing

The China Project — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 13:00:00 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis discusses Chinese tech companies and their global expansion with Guoli Chen, Professor of Strategy at INSEAD, and Jianggan Li, founder and CEO of Momentum Works. They discussed the challenges that result from the protective nature of the Chinese ecosystem, as well as the solutions and recommendations from their new book on the topic Seeing the Unseen. Also featured in this show is an in-depth discussion of how Chinese history, especially Mao’s enduring influence, functions as a double-edged sword for contemporary Chinese business culture and leadership styles. We also discuss the recent crackdowns on tech firms and the tightening of regulations. We conclude with Guoli and Jianggan providing valuable suggestions to Chinese companies wishing to expand into foreign territory in this era of political and economic uncertainty.

What does the CHIPS Act mean for U.S.-China semiconductor competition?

The China Project — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:00:01 +0000

In August, the Biden administration finally passed a semiconductor subsidy bill. The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 achieved rare bipartisan support and promises funding of more than $200 billion over the next five years with the goal of re-establishing the U.S. as a global center of semiconductor manufacturing. To understand the bill and its impact, this week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis discusses the CHIPS Act with Rory Murphy, Vice President of Government Affairs at the U.S.-China Business Council; and Paul Triolo, Senior VP for China and Technology Policy Lead for Albright Stonebridge Group. Highlights of the show include a general overview and the history of the CHIPS Act, the political significance to U.S.-China relations, and challenges in industrial policy and export controls. Also discussed is how Taiwan has been and will be in the spotlight of the global supply chain with U.S. and China competing in the semiconductor industry. They concluded with an emphasis on the need for U.S. and Chinese companies to adapt to the new rules and regulations.

Doing business in China: Insights from a cultural perspective, with Mona Chung

The China Project — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:00:58 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Mona Chung, a bicultural business leader and expert on doing business in and with China. The discussion focused on the challenges and strategies to navigate cultural factors for foreign companies. Mona shared some common differences that might create tensions between Chinese and foreign businesses, especially in areas like pricing, branding, marketing, and cross-cultural management. A few highlights of the show include the lessons learned from Foster’s withdrawal from the Chinese beer market, how to read Ren Zhengfei’s recent memo addressing Huawei’s employees that paints a gloomy picture of the company’s future, and the lasting impacts of Maoism on contemporary Chinese society and business. The discussion concluded with Mona giving three valuable suggestions about cultural communications and negotiations that western companies should follow when wishing to enter the Chinese market under the current climate. A transcript of this interview is available on TheChinaProject.com.

Contrasting AI superpowers China and the U.S. with George Shen

The China Project — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 21:00:21 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis is joined by George Shen from IBM, a tech exec and thought leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and Cloud technologies, spanning the U.S. and China. George provides background on the general development of AI, and the similarities and differences between the strategies of China and the U.S. While China’s whole nation approach led to the country's 2017 National AI strategy, in the U.S, AI development is more fragmented across the private and public sectors. Also discussed is the AI report from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, which predicted that China will overtake America in AI by 2025. Finally, we also discuss differences in public reaction to the mass adoption of AI in China and the U.S., and the emerging field of AI ethics in the two countries. A transcript of this interview is available on TheChinaProject.com.

The future of Chinese agriculture investment in the U.S.: Insights from the Fufeng case

The China Project — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:21:08 +0000

The U.S. Senate recently passed a bill that would ban Chinese investment in U.S. agribusiness, in response to a proposal by China-based Fufeng Group to build a corn milling operation in Grand Forks, North Dakota. To understand the significance and implications of such investment, this week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Brandon Bochenski, the mayor of Grand Forks. Brandon provides helpful context on a number of topics including how such deals take place, the impact of the corn mill under question, and also sources of the political opposition. He also provides some suggestions to local leaders who face similar dilemmas when international investment meets rising nationalism.

A transcript of this interview is available on TheChinaProject.com.

How companies are dealing with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

The China Project — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 13:48:34 +0000

There is significant uncertainty about how companies can deal with the sweeping UFLPA which just went into effect in late June. To understand this policy and how it is being enforced, this week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis discusses the UFLPA with Craig Allen, President of the US-China Business Council, and Jon Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation. Unlike prior trade policy which assumes importers are “innocent until proven guilty”, the UFLPA places the onus on manufacturers and importers to ensure their supply chains are free of forced labor. Key topics discussed include how companies are working to meet this requirement and how will it be enforced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Also discussed are China’s response and Craig and Jon provide some advice to companies on how to cope with the compliance challenges and what to anticipate in the future. A transcript of this podcast is available here.

Impact investing with Chinese characteristics

The China Project — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:31:51 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Yijing Wang, founder of 2060 Advisory, an impact investing advisory firm based in Hangzhou. Yijing discusses the impact landscape in China and how it has accelerated since China’s announced its 2060 carbon neutrality goal. She provides context on this goal and how it has shaped the mission of her company and its projects. Also discussed are differences between western and Chinese impact investment infrastructure, with Yijing offering advice to western audiences interested in impact funds in China. A transcript of this podcast is available here.

U.S. midterm elections and China policy with Rory Murphy

The China Project — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:23:49 +0000

Today on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Rory Murphy, vice president of government affairs at the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) to discuss a recent report on the implications of the U.S. midterm elections for U.S.-China trade relations. Topics discussed include recent policy initiatives such as the CHIPS Act, the National Critical Capabilities Defense Act, and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. These acts reflect both convergence and divergence between the attitudes of the Democrats and the Republicans on China, as well as within the parties themselves. Also discussed are midterm election campaign strategies and the rhetoric on China in campaigns, specifically in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. A final topic is the implications for US-China business relations if Republicans take charge of the House and the Senate. A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

Utah’s surprising success in China

The China Project — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:49:51 +0000

Utah has more people learning Chinese as a second language than anywhere else in America and nearly one in five Utah jobs are tied to international trade. To understand why, Chris Marquis talks to Utah-based entrepreneurs with businesses focused on China. Jon Garrison recently co-founded EnRoute Global, a company that provides inflight entertainment for Chinese airlines like China Southern and Sichuan Airlines. Previously he was an executive at Dalian Wanda Group. Derrick Porter leads one of the biggest players in the hair and eyelash extension market, Beauty Industry Group and he also serves on the board of the Utah World Trade Center. He discusses the supply chain of the hair product industry, and his company's rigorous transparency and traceability program to ensure ethics compliance. They discuss what makes the state of Utah such a hotbed for international trade, including but not limited to the missionary trips from the Mormon church, historical reasons, Utah’s international focus, and the educational institutions. A transcript of this podcast is available on TheChinaProject.com.

How Western companies are dealing with China’s corporate law: A lawyer’s perspective

The China Project — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:37:46 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Art Dicker, a senior attorney at R&P China Lawyers, a full-service local PRC law firm advising international businesses in China on trends in China corporate law. Inspired by Art’s LinkedIn newsletter, they discuss how companies are dealing with China's New Data Regulations, the VIE or Variable Interest Entity structure that Chinese companies use to go public in the U.S., and also how the laws governing the VC sector in China have evolved over time. Art also talks about how he got interested in law in China and his career path, offering suggestions to foreign companies from a legal perspective. A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

How Western companies are dealing with China’s data security laws

The China Project — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 14:56:26 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Matt Margulies and Hannah Feldshuh from the US-China Business Council’s Beijing office about a recently USCBC report on data security laws in China. They discuss the landscape of China’s data security laws including the specific legal provisions. Matt and Hannah also provide details on how US companies can and are dealing with the associated data, privacy, and cybersecurity challenges, discussing a number of industry-specific cases such as in the health care, automotive, and financial services sectors. A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

Connecting the U.S. and China through entrepreneurship, with Jeff Ji and Ken Wong

The China Project — Tue, 10 May 2022 00:11:26 +0000

In this CEO Webinar, we discuss cross-border entrepreneurship with Jeff Ji and Ken Wong of NavPac Advisors, a company that connects businesses in the U.S. and China. Through their work, they have a number of compelling examples of how different cultural activities and sports can be used as a platform to bring people from the two countries together. Jeff discusses the Harley Davidson motorcycle tours he has led for both Westerners’ traveling to China and Chinese traveling to the US. As Chair of USA Badminton, Ken reflects on how he sees cross-cultural exchanges through this sport as akin to the famous ping pong diplomacy that was influential in softening relations between the U.S. and China in the early 1970s. They both also discuss a number of other examples such as dragon boating and importing a Harbin-style ice festival to northern U.S. locations, and provide a number of recommendations for those wanting to do business in China. A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

Business and personal relations in China with Robert Fisch

The China Project — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 18:45:02 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Robert Fisch, who has over 40 years of experience working in and with Chinese companies and organizations. Robert is a master storyteller and he draws on his diverse experiences in China to illustrate some key principles that businesses can learn from, such as the importance of personal relations and the human touch when doing business in China. And he also provides some very practical advice on many topics from setting up a wholly foreign-owned entity (WFOE) to how business in China has shifted in the COVID era. A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

Decarbonizing China with Giuliana Auinger, Asia Head of Sustainability at Schneider Electric

The China Project — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 18:28:28 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Giuliana Auinger, the Asia Head of Sustainability for French multinational Schneider Electric. They discuss the challenges of sustainability and decarbonization for companies and countries and the key steps to meet goals in this area. Also covered is China’s progress in reaching its commitments for peak carbon by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Giuliana highlights not only how China has a number of forward-thinking green strategies and also areas where more improvement is needed if China is to meet its goals. A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

On the “greening” of China, the plant-based sector, and media activism: eco-activist Sonalie Figueiras of Green Queen

The China Project — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 22:36:11 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to serial social entrepreneur and eco-activist Sonalie Figueiras. Sonalie is a native of Hong Kong who has started a number of companies in the region, including Green Queen, the sustainability and social impact media platform she founded 10 years ago. They discuss the Chinese governments’ increasing focus on environmentalism in recent years and its many efforts to meet its ambitious goals. One area of particular focus that also relates to food security concerns is some unexpected challenges in the alternative protein sector in China. Sonalie provides recommendations for how companies can better meet consumer preferences with these products. They also discuss the role of the media, increasing censorship and related challenges for independent media in Hong Kong. A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

The state of China’s electric vehicle market, with industry veteran Robert Yu

The China Project — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:05:52 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with China auto industry veteran Robert Yu. In Robert’s 30 plus years in the industry, he spent 20 years at Ford and also was Executive Director of GM China and Head of Manufacturing for EV pioneer NIO. Robert provides an insightful overview of the booming EV market in China where there are over 450 officially registered companies that sold about 3 million cars in 2021. For comparison in the US, 800,000 EVs were sold in 2021. We also discuss the different market segments, including the low end which includes EVs selling for $4,000, and the mid-market where offerings from NIO and Xpeng are exceptionally well-positioned globally and have recently begun entering the European market. Finally, we also discuss NIO’s unique outsourced manufacturing program and how it compares to traditional auto assembly. A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

How companies can deal with consumer boycotts in China, with Ken Jarrett

The China Project — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 16:18:14 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Kenneth Jarrett, senior advisor at Albright Stonebridge Group about how multinationals can deal with the increasingly frequent consumer boycotts that occur in China. While many international brands such as the NBA, H&M, Walmart, Zara, Nike, and others have found themselves in recent years on the wrong side of Chinese consumer ire, not all boycotts are the same. Drawing on decades of business and diplomatic experience in China, Ken explains that there are different types of boycotts — depending on the extent of consumer and/or government involvement — and correspondingly different strategies companies can take when dealing with them. Also discussed are the challenges local China offices have in dealing with headquarters during boycotts and how multinationals in China can develop effective relationships with the government.

How the China tariffs are hurting U.S. businesses

The China Project — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 01:15:43 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Dan Digre from MISCO a St. Paul Minnesota-based company that produces audio speakers. Over the past 20 years, MICSO has built a successful business by importing low-tech components from China, and then through expertise in engineering, design, and final assembly and testing, reconfiguring them into high-tech products. But this model is threatened by the China tariffs. Dan describes how the components that he imports are hit with a 25% tariff, yet if he were to fully assemble the speakers in China instead of the U.S. and import the finished product, the tariff would only be 7.5%. The tariffs thus not only hurt his sales due to his higher costs but also, given this discrepancy, encourage further loss of jobs in the U.S. and offshoring of the type of higher value-added manufacturing MICSO does.

The China story behind Apple’s $3 trillion valuation, with Doug Guthrie

The China Project — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:07:42 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Doug Guthrie, who from 2014 to 2019 led Apple University’s efforts on leadership and organizational development in China. Apple recently became the first company ever to reach a $3 trillion market cap, and Doug and Chris discuss how Apple’s current success is due in large measure to the deep partnerships the company has in China. A very visible part of this, of course, is the impressive sales of iPhones and other products to Chinese consumers. In the last 5 years, about 20% of Apple’s sales have been in China. But as Doug emphasizes, an even bigger factor for the company’s success globally is the concentration of Apple’s supply chain in China. This allows Apple and other companies like Tesla to benefit from programs like the government's labor dispatch system, which channels hundreds of millions of migrant workers to companies that need them on a temporary basis. All this leads to incredible profitability for the company, and as Doug argues, it cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. But as you'll hear, this gives the Chinese government significant leverage over companies such as Apple and Tesla that are essentially “married to China.” A transcript of this conversation is available on TheChinaProject.com.

Doing e-Commerce in China: What international brands can learn, with Frank Lavin

The China Project — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:17:24 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Frank Lavin, former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore who is chairman and founder of Export Now, a company focused on helping international brands enter China. Frank recently published The Smart Business Guide to China E-Commerce, a highly readable book that has many great points and recommendations about the topic. In this podcast, Frank not only discusses key features of China’s e-commerce ecosystem and important platforms like Alibaba, JD, and Pinduoduo, but importantly, how and why mid-tier American companies should focus exclusively on such channels as opposed to more traditional brick and mortar presence. Frank also provides detail on how despite U.S.-China trade tensions, many US firms have experienced their best year ever in the China market, and also why the phenomenon of dàigòu 代购, or gray market sales can be an international brand’s best friend in China.

For more on this topic, please check out Frank Lavin’s recently published: The Smart Business Guide to China E-Commerce

Localizing Products while leveraging global expertise: Lessons from Danone Waters China

The China Project — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 17:11:02 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Eduardo Lacerda, vice president of marketing for Danone Waters China (DWC), the Guangzhou-based subsidiary of Paris-based food and nutrition multinational Danone S.A. Lacerda discusses in detail how DWC addresses the core tension for MNCs that want to do business in China: how to draw on global experience and frameworks while also effectively localizing the business and products. A case in point is the company’s well-known health drink Mizone, which was developed in China and has many seasonal and regional flavors tailored to appeal to Chinese consumers, particularly younger ones. But as Lacerda discusses, its low sugar profile and nutritional properties reflect Danone’s mission to deliver healthful products to consumers. Relatedly, we also discuss the company’s impressive environmental work at its factories and recent certification as a B Corp, and how it met the demands of this global framework for social and environmental impact.

Entrepreneurship in China’s produce sector: “The Lettuce Diaries” with Xavier Naville

The China Project — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 03:42:14 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Xavier Naville, who candidly writes about his many ups and downs doing business in China in The Lettuce Diaries: How A Frenchman Found Gold Growing Vegetables In China. Xavier discusses many of the illuminating experiences he had over his 15 years in China, including how he dealt with the country's dispersed and complex produce supply chains in ways to make sure farmers were treated fairly while also meeting his customers' quality needs. Xavier was the only non-Chinese at a firm of 1500 employees and so he also has a lot of insights into managing a Chinese workforce. Looking forward, Xavier also expresses an optimistic perspective on China’s unique agriculture sector and how through platforms like Pinduoduo smaller farms are now able to sell their products directly to consumers — and how, as a result, China is now leading the world in the digital grocery space.

New trends in government and SOE procurement in China

The China Project — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 18:50:11 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Alison Schonberg, manager of Business Advisory Services at the US-China Business Council. Alison recently authored a report on government procurement in China, and while the topic may sound somewhat dry, it is in fact of enormous consequence for American firms operating in China. Alison discusses how government procurement is designed in China, and ways that governments at different levels and state-owned enterprises are able to execute an implicit “buy Chinese” policy, which in some cases is in violation of international agreements, including terms of China's WTO accession. Also discussed are the number of ways that American companies are working with local companies and governments to deal with this increasingly restrictive environment.

How the Biden administration’s China trade policy will affect U.S. businesses

The China Project — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 18:55:17 +0000

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai recently announced the results of the long-awaited strategic review of the U.S.-China trade relationship, yet many open questions remain. In this episode of China Corner Office, Chris Marquis is joined by Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), and Anna Ashton, vice president of government affairs at the USCBC, to discuss the state of the U.S.-China trade policy and what to expect in the future. In addition to reviewing the ongoing issues of tariffs and the phase one commitments, Craig and Anna reflect on how many events this fall such as the U.S.-China virtual summit, G20 meeting, APEC, and COP26 should provide further clarity to the U.S.-China relationship. Overall, the conversation takes a big-picture view of U.S.-China relations and how the Biden administration’s plans intersect with congressional priorities and also the strategies of our EU allies.

How U.S. states help businesses expand in China

The China Project — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 12:21:53 +0000

While trade tensions between the U.S. and China continue to fester at the national level, there is significant variation in how those effects are being felt across U.S. states. In every state, there is a unique ecosystem that supports trade with China and other countries that track to the national situation to varying degrees. This episode examines on how firms in Michigan have continued to do business with China in recent years. Joining Chris Marquis is Mark Becker, Director of International Supply at Cherry Central Co-Op, a Michigan-based organization that buys and processes fruit from small farmers across the U.S. and Canada, much of which is exported to China. Mark also discusses how the trade tensions have affected his business, how Cherry Central positions and markets its products in China, how it is dealing with the global shipping crisis, and also how it takes advantage of state-based trade promotion resources. On this last topic, also joining the episode are three leaders from U.S. federal- and state-level organizations that provide export assistance to U.S. businesses, providing details on the variety of training, advocacy, market intelligence and networking services their organizations provide, as well as in some cases financial support of U.S. businesses international expansion efforts.

Sustainability and growing plant-based trends in China, with Roberto Guidetti, CEO of Vitasoy

The China Project — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 17:14:31 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Roberto Guidetti, CEO of Hong Kong-based food and beverage brand Vitasoy. They discuss how the company stands at the intersection of three seemingly inexorable trends: the growing acceptance of plant-based food products, sustainable business, and the China market. He reflects on how the global movement for plant-based protein is growing in China, and how Vitasoy’s different soymilk and tofu products are tailored to different markets. Roberto also discusses how the company has embraced sustainable business practices in the last decade, from the farmers that grow the soybeans to how the products are packaged and distributed. Finally, while Italian by birth, Roberto has worked in the Greater China region for over 20 years, including stints at P&G and Coca-Cola. He discusses how his diverse experiences in China have been shaped by this unique background and offers advice based on his experience for people interested in doing business in China.

Middle Class Shanghai with Cheng Li

The China Project — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:37:22 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Cheng Li of the Brookings Institute about his recent book Middle Class Shanghai. They discuss the influence of this important gateway to China that anchors the vibrant Yangtze delta economy and is home to one of China’s two stock exchanges. Cheng offers many insights about China’s society and culture — exemplified by Shanghai’s middle class — and how they shape the country’s economics and politics. This includes topics such as the influence of returnees, the vibrant art scene in Shanghai, and the influence of those who have lived and worked in Shanghai on China’s central government. Overall, Cheng advocates that American policymakers should not lose sight of the dynamism in present-day China and that understanding and engaging with the diversity of the Chinese population can contribute to improving U.S. relations with China.

U.S.-China business outlook for 2022 and beyond

The China Project — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 13:10:52 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis has an in-depth discussion with Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council about the USCBC’s just-released member survey. They discuss how while U.S.-China tensions are the top concern for American companies, and geopolitical and policy challenges are dampening optimism, virtually all surveyed companies remain profitable in China, and almost half have plans to increase resource commitments in China over the next year. Another important aspect of the discussion was Craig’s detailed portrayal of how the Chinese government continues to skew the playing field to favor Chinese firms in areas such as industrial policy, intellectual property, standards-setting, and government procurement.

Sourcing from China in an age of uncertainty

The China Project — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 18:22:52 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Jay Foreman, the president and CEO of Basic Fun!, a global toy company based in Florida, and Craig Allen, the president of the US-China Business Council. Basic Fun! has well-known brands, including K’NEX, Playhut, Tonka, and Care Bears, most of which are produced in China. The episode centers on several of the lessons Jay has learned in over 100 trips to visit factory partners in China since 1989. For instance, despite rising labor costs, Jay finds Chinese production to still be quite cost-effective as a result of the flexibility and creativity of Chinese manufacturers. Jay and Craig also reflect on how manufacturing in China has changed in the last 30 years, discuss the importance of intellectual property protections in Chinese supply chains, and provide a number of illustrations of how factory and working conditions in China have improved over time.

Taking Chinese tech models around the world, with Jerry Wang of Haitou Global

The China Project — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 19:49:59 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Jerry Wang, the founder and CEO of Haitou Global, a New York City–based asset allocation platform. Haitou is pioneering a “copy from China” model, taking technology advances in China such as fintech, mobile payments, and ecommerce to emerging markets like Indonesia, Nigeria, Mexico, Pakistan, and other countries. They discuss a number of examples in these countries of how Haitou works in a bottom-up way to tailor the new tech models so they can work well in new cultural and regulatory environments. They also explore the different factors such as large local populations, supporting infrastructure and friendly regulations that make different emerging markets appealing for investment, and how they have conducted due diligence in these diverse locations during the challenging COVID period.

China and rare earths: A view from U.S. states

The China Project — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 19:59:02 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Mitchell Spencer, the founder of Indiana-based Polaris Rare Earth Materials, Craig Allen, the president of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), and Colin Renk, the executive director of the America China Society of Indiana. They discuss the growth of Mitchell’s businesses focused on manufacturing and supplying rare earths, particularly neodymium magnets to U.S. manufacturers, and why China is so dominant in this industry. The guests also reflect on the different lessons they have learned about doing business in China, such as the importance of flexibility and how to develop successful partnerships. Regarding the current environment, they discuss how the tariffs and global nature of supply chains affect U.S. businesses, especially SMEs.

The U.S. Congress and economic relations with China

The China Project — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 20:25:53 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Anna Ashton, the vice president of government affairs at the US-China Business Council, and Jon Gold, the vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation. The podcast focuses on details of current and future legislation under discussion in the U.S. Congress and the potential economic consequences, both to China and the United States. In particular, they discuss implications of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) of 2021, its constituent Endless Frontier and CHIPS for America Acts, and, more generally, the rising focus of state intervention in the U.S. economy.

Cleantech investment in China with Larry Zhang from Tsing Capital

The China Project — Tue, 18 May 2021 21:03:56 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Larry Zhang, managing partner of Tsing Capital, a pioneering cleantech VC firm in China and around the world. They discuss how cleantech has come to be an active investment segment in China, and is an important focus of entrepreneurs and increasingly the government, as shown by China’s recent commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060. They also explore the importance of government five-year plans to identify investment themes, how the VC investment processes in China have become increasingly formalized, and the benefits of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measurement and management.

Winning in China with Wharton’s Lele Sang

The China Project — Tue, 04 May 2021 21:57:49 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Lele Sang, Global Fellow at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania about her recent co-authored book, Winning in China: 8 Stories of Success and Failure in the World's Largest Economy. They discuss the different factors that explain the success (or failure) of foreign companies entering China. Examples discussed in detail include how Amazon’s overreliance on its global model led to problems, how Norwegian Cruise Line misinterpreted what Chinese consumers would want and so ended up leaving the market, and the leadership characteristics and governance structures that led Sequoia Capital and InMobi from India to succeed. Lele also analyzes the complex case of LinkedIn and how, despite being a rare U.S. social media company to operate in China, its success has been limited due to a lack of fit with Chinese culture, and also how Intel has fostered an effective relationship with the Chinese government.

The economic costs of decoupling from China

The China Project — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 19:40:39 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to Craig Allen, the president of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), and Alexander Wyatt-Mackle, a senior economist at Oxford Economics, about how the costs of foreign economic policies are often not well understood and can have real-world consequences. In particular, they discuss some recent reports that show how and why the China tariffs of the last four years have had mostly negative economic effects across a number of indicators such as employment and stock market valuations and also have led to a decline in global GDP. Also discussed are how the U.S. can better balance economic and national security concerns in its relations with China, the global semiconductor industry, and some of the positive effects of Chinese business and trade on the U.S. economy.

Introducing baijiu to western consumers, with Derek Sandhaus

The China Project — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 18:14:49 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Derek Sandhaus, director of baijiu education and communications for Ming River Sichuan Baijiu, a company that is working to introduce the famous Chinese spirit to consumers outside of China. Derek discusses his own journey to appreciate the different styles and regions of baijiu and how he came to co-found Ming River. Also discussed are how the company works with its Chinese production partner, how Ming River developed a baiju to appeal to the Western palate, and how they continue to educate consumers on this unique cultural product. Stick around to the end for Derek’s recommendations on baijiu cocktails and some of his favorite brands of baijiu! https://thechinaproject.com/2020/04/08/baijiu-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-national-liquor/

The past, present, and future of green finance in China

The China Project — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:35:15 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Wayne Silby and Guo Peiyuan, the co-founders of Syntao, the Beijing-based sustainability consulting and investing firm. Wayne is also the founding chair of the $35 billion ESG investing pioneer Calvert. Wayne and Peiyuan discuss how in the last 30 years, green finance and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing has gone from a fringe topic to the mainstream globally, and how in the last decade the topic has also taken off in China. Syntao has actively shaped how this field emerged in China, and Wayne and Peiyuan also reflect on how they have worked with Chinese companies and leaders to convince them of the importance of sustainability, how the top-down role of the government in supporting corporate responsibility in China is different than in the West, and how investors around the world now consider environmental factors as important indicators of companies’ long-term risk.

The future of U.S.-China commercial relations in the Biden administration

The China Project — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 18:16:27 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Craig Allen, President of the US-China Business Council and Robert Daly, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Woodrow Wilson Center. Their discussion centered on how the U.S. can productively pursue constructive relations with China while also defending American interests and a rules-based order. In particular they discuss increased multilateral engagement, better coordination on China policy within the U.S. government, and how the U.S. can more effectively compete with China.

Eco-friendly investment and the plant-based food sector in China

The China Project — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 21:13:39 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Tao Zhang, the co-founder of Dao Foods International, a cross-border impact venture that invests in eco-friendly, plant-based, and alternative meat in China. Tao is also the founder and managing director of Dao Ventures, a pioneering impact investment, advisory, and accelerator group. In this episode, he reflects on the evolution of the impact investing sector in China and how some of the early environmentally focused companies attracted investment. As Tao’s recent focus is on funding alternative protein companies, he also discusses why this sector is essential for China’s environmental future, the innovative products of the companies Dao Foods invests in, and the growing acceptance of these foods among the younger generation of Chinese consumers.

Short selling and the China market with Anne Stevenson-Yang of J Capital Research

The China Project — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:42:11 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Anne Stevenson-Yang, the co-founder and research director at J Capital Research (J Cap), a firm that focuses on investigating global equities, particularly Chinese stocks, based on extensive primary research and public sources. The company’s reports identify short-selling opportunities by exposing fraudulent businesses and accounting. Anne discusses the flags for questionable activity in those reports and some of J Cap’s recent recommendations about Bit Digital and Luckin Coffee.

Innovation and the startup ecosystem in China

The China Project — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:46:58 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks to James Chou, the CEO of Microsoft for Startups, North Asia. James discusses the development of the unique startup ecosystem in China and how the fast innovation cycle and online nature of the Chinese consumer have led to a vibrant environment for technology entrepreneurship, particularly in areas such as fintech, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. James is also the chair of the Technology and Innovation Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, and in that context, he discusses some of the biggest challenges faced by non-Chinese tech firms operating in China.

The corporate legal environment in China, with Peter Corne

The China Project — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:44:36 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Peter Corne, who leads international law firm Dorsey & Whitney’s mainland China offices from his home in Shanghai. Peter discusses how legal services have evolved in China in recent decades across different sectors, from corporate entry to intellectual property. As Chinese courts have become more professionalized and domestic legal talent has developed, China has become more litigious. As a result, there has also been a dramatic increase in private mediation and arbitration, and Peter discusses his role on a number of influential mediation panels. Other topics addressed in the podcast include how, despite trade tensions, there are still robust mechanisms in place to attract foreign investment to China, and the important progress China is making in clean technology and environmental law.

The evolution and future of textile manufacturing in China with Wilkie Wong of Esquel Group

The China Project — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 20:41:26 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Wilkie Wong, Managing Director of Production Planning and Logistics at Esquel Group, a US $1.3-billion vertically integrated apparel enterprise founded in 1978 and headquartered in Hong Kong. Esquel is one of the world’s largest producers of premium cotton shirts, with manufacturing operations in China, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Wilkie reflects on the evolution of the textile manufacturing sector in China and how Esquel’s strategy of investing in people and community has led to greater productivity which allows the company to maintain competitiveness even with raising labor rates. Also discussed is the role of automation in manufacturing, how an OEM can expand into to branded product lines, and Esquel’s efforts to overturn US sanctions on one of its Xinjiang cotton milling plants.

China and the global wine industry with Don St. Pierre Jr.

The China Project — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 20:48:04 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Don St. Pierre, the co-owner and executive chairman of Vinfolio, an online wine marketplace. In 1996, Don co-founded ASC Fine Wines, which he built into Greater China's leading importer of premium wine. In this episode, he reflects on China’s growing role in the global wine industry and ASC’s early work in building a consumer market for fine wine as China’s middle class grew. Don also discusses the importance of government relations for foreign-owned businesses, and prospects for U.S.-China trade relations under a Biden administration. For wine recommendations, both Chinese domestic and global producers, stick around to the end of the episode!

Building the “she economy,” with Virginia Tan

The China Project — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 20:49:36 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Virginia Tan, founding partner of Teja Ventures, which is the first gender lens VC fund for emerging Asia. Virginia, who also founded She Loves Tech and Lean In China, discusses the powerful investment thesis behind the “she economy,” and how commercially driven investments focused on women can have social impact. She reflects on how she built the fund and the work of Teja’s portfolio companies. More broadly, Virginia also discusses how in Asia and China in particular, impact investments need not be concessionary, and how in these contexts, aligning with government priorities is important.

Online advertising and entrepreneurship in China

The China Project — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 21:07:28 +0000

This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Ken Pao, the executive managing director of the Asia-Pacific region for Criteo, a leading advertising technology company. After graduating from Harvard Business School, he led a VC-backed startup called Dorm 99 that was briefly the largest online social network in China before it was shut down by the government. Ken discusses the uniqueness of China’s online advertising ecosystem compared with those in other countries, as well as his experience as an entrepreneur in China. He also reflects on how the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur have shaped his career and approach to doing business in China.

U.S.-China trade tension and technology distrust

The China Project — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 20:29:43 +0000

In this first episode of China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with author and longtime China-watcher James McGregor, the chairman of the Greater China region for APCO Worldwide. Drawing on his 30 years of living and working in China, James shares his perspective on how China’s past shapes its present and future technology and trade policies, and discusses what the U.S. government and American firms can and should do in response.

China Corner Office – Trailer

The China Project — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 13:58:23 +0000

China Corner Office features conversations with the leaders who have changed the way business is done in China. Hosted by Chris Marquis from Cornell University’s Johnson College of Business, the podcast shines light on the unique management models that have developed in China and what it takes to successfully run a business in China. Businesses we cover on this show span many industries, including high tech, financial services, healthcare and biotech, manufacturing and consumer products; and the podcast delves into many specific topic areas such as ecommerce tools, new financial models, marketing and product introductions and operations and logistics. Subscribe if you are interested in learning more about how business is done in China during a particularly challenging time. Episodes to be published on a biweekly schedule, beginning on October 26.