Two sessions (Liang Hui) is China's annual gathering of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The 2022 meetings will commence on March 4 in Beijing. Despite its large size, the NPC it has very little power. Important decisions are made at the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which this year is expected to be in October or November, and then rubber-stamped by the NPC. Both meetings showcase the government’s achievements of the past year and introduce plans for the future. As such, they are eagerly awaited by analysts all over the world, looking for clues as to what to expect.

And what are we expecting from the meetings? The Chinese economy is always on the agenda. Based on 2021 growth, the GDP target could be around 6% (globaltimes.cn/). Carbon neutrality goals would most likely to be on the agenda as well. The Chinese government can achieve both of its main goals, boost economic growth and reduce emissions by building 'green' infrastructure. However, economic growth in 2022 faces some headwind, as the growth of services, consumption, and investment all failed to return back to the pre-pandemic level. In terms of provincial comparison, Hainan, Shanxi, and Guizhou topped the list – registering an average growth of 7.3 percent, 6.3 percent, and 6.3 percent (Dezan Shira & Associates). With China’s ongoing efforts to develop Hainan Island into a globally influential free trade port, it is foreseeable that in the next few years that Hainan may usher in the fastest development stage in history.

How about foreign investments in China? Last year China saw record high foreign direct investments, exceeding RMB 1 trillion. The growth is considered remarkable, taking into account the ongoing global pandemic and geopolitical tensions, reflecting foreign companies’ growing confidence in China’s constantly improving business environment (china-briefing.com/news/). We are naturally interested in how Finnish companies see the business environment now compared to the past and how they see the development in the future. The survey is now closed and results will be released on March 23. See the online event invitation below in event section.

The Winter Olympics showed us that the Finnish know-how in winter sports technology is well appreciated. This month’s guest writer is one of those experts, VEPE Oy. Vepe is the official supplier of flexi dasher boards and safety protection solutions for all ice hockey venues in 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Read more about their amazing input on Olympics in guest writer section of this news letter.

We have all the reasons to be proud of Finland's achievements both in Olympic sports competitions and in winter sports technology!

On the behalf of FBCB,

Ulla Nurmenniemi

Executive Director

Finnish Business Council Beijing

The Shijiazhuang municipal government has launched its first Shijiazhuang “Haishi Cup” Talent Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition in February. 

The goal of the competition is to: 

This is a good opportunity for European start-ups and companies from the following industries to effectively catch the attention of the municipal government leaders & local industry experts who will then evaluate the suitability and market potential of their technology in Shijiazhuang:

Biomedicine, Next Generation Electronic Information, New Energy & Energy efficiency technologies, Advanced equipment manufacturing, Agricultural technologies 

Cash prizes are awarded in both Preliminary and Final competition rounds. More information and registrations at www.HBEUCC.org/haishicup

Sponsor: Shijiazhuang Municipal Government

Organizer: Shijiazhuang Organizational Department 

European Division co-organizer: Hebei-EU Talent & Technology Cooperation Center 

Contact us by sending email to Tara.joensuu@qq.com

Phone: +86 185 3316 9833

Founded in 1934, Vepe Oy is headquartered in Finland, which is a worldly- renowned ice hockey dasher boards supplier. Vepe started to manufacture and deliver ice hockey dasher boards and related products since 1976. The company has been committed to R&D on manufacturing high-quality ice hockey dasher boards for the safety of athletes and spectators, providing optimized security assurance for professional ice hockey tournaments.  With its products and services officially recognized and recommended by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Vepe has engaged in the construction of many famous ice hockey stadiums, provided services to many top-level international ice hockey events and delivered over 2,000 ice hockey dasher boards protection systems and products to 26 countries and regions. Vepe has supplied products for the World Ice Hockey Championships, Finland Ice Hockey Challenge for consecutive years.  

Vepe is the official supplier of flexi dasher boards and safety protection solutions for all ice hockey venues in 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The services involve the overall process, ranging from the planning design, manufacturing, logistics and transportation, installation, testing and acceptance inspection, delivery, and support during the Games. Since the open bidding for the Winter Olympic Games, Vepe has been constantly overcoming various difficulties and striving to integrate the cultural differences between the East and the West, so as to build up ice hockey stadiums for the Olympic with the best products and positive attitudes. In particular, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure a successful construction with high quality and standard, Vepe has set up a professional Chinese team for timely reaction and adjustment according to the whole process of construction, which has provided more refined, localized and thoughtful service for the Winter Olympic project.  

In the spirit of being responsible for the brand, the customers and the Olympics, Vepe has dispatched the best technical support team from Finland to Beijing and joined hands with local team in China to give the full support and guarantee for the ice hockey games during Olympics and Paralympics. Vepe’s professionalism and craftsmanship spirit are reflected everywhere, including subtle levelling between dasher boards and ice dam prior to the official start of the Games, the adjustment of red lines and blue lines in accordance with IIHF new rules and the handling of unexpected tiny problems during the games. The contributions made by the technical support team have been highly recognized and gained favorable evaluation from many sides. The National Indoor Stadium operation team of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee commented on Mr. Meelis Pehk, dasher board expert in the technical team, as follows: "Meelis is an exceptional person and beyond anybody how hard his is working. Thank you, Meelis!”.

 

As the Winter Olympic Games comes to a successful conclusion, the venue transition to the Winter Paralympic Games has started. With professional skills and abundant enthusiasm, Vepe will continue to complete the transition work of the ice hockey dasher boards for the Winter Paralympic Games and make sure all the ice hockey games in Paralympics smooth and successful

Finnish Business Council Beijing is part of Team Finland in China, and an outstanding platform for all Finnish businesses in China. For those companies which need more visibility, we have launched a Premium Membership. It's an upgrade from normal membership, as you can see from the table below.

For those companies in Finland, who are planning to expand their businesses to China, or are in the early stage and don't have an office in China yet, we have a distant membership. It's called Proxy Membership. A very cost-effective way to make your company known to a large audience, and get essential contacts for your future.

See all membership options HERE

The Premier Health Insurance Program of the FBC is provided exclusively for company members of Finnish Business Councils. Program is run by experienced international insurance broker – Oriental Benefit Group. The program offers companies with a comprehensive coverage and affordable rates. You can get the group insurance rates even if there's only one person in the company.

Who can join the Chamber’s Premier Health Insurance Plan?

Members of FBC

Contact us for more information. FBC Representative at Oriental Benefit Group:

Zikai Liu, Managing Partner

Mobile: 18501718500

Email: zikai.liu@orientalbenefit.com