It focuses on establishing a 3-year action plan for China and Africa cooperation on topics ranging from trade and supply chain to culture and people to people exchange. Once again, the declaration contains a long list of areas for cooperation for the two parties (The declaration on China MFA website). 

Right after Beijing has recovered from the chaos cause by traffic control during the FOCAC starts the biggest annual business fair. China International Fair for Trade and Service or CIFTIS kicked off on 12th of September. This 5-day fair includes dozens of conferences and other events around the city. These included the 2024 International Conference on the Development of Intellectual Property Services organized by Capital Intellectual Property Services Association, a collaboration partner of FinnCham China. Board Member Mika Woll was representing FinnCham China Beijing in this event (picture).

When it comes to European business in China, EUCCC published its China Position Paper 2024/2025 last week. In the paper EUCCC members express serious concern over the business environment and economy. The paper calls for more concrete actions towards level playing field for European companies rather than just action plans. It includes 1043 recommendations to China ranging from market access to procurement and Digital & Cyber issues to investment promotion. You can read the full paper HERE. While the tone of the report is dim, EUCCC President Jens Eskelund still emphasizes China’s importance in his foreword: ”European firms’ perceptions about the Chinese business environment might be changing, yet they still have a shared interest in China’s continued success”. 

FinnCham China’s autumn has started with great events here in Beijing. One of these was the Sourcing Survey Report 2024 – From Global to Regional, a seminar organized jointly by the Nordic Chambers. In this seminar Johan Annell, Partner in our member company ARC Consulting, shared the results of Global Sourcing Survey 2024. According to the survey, global trade has started to grow again during the first half of this, albeit growth being modest. When it comes to multinational companies’ sourcing strategies, global sourcing remains as a crucial action but more and more companies favor diversified strategies to tackle risks regarding costs, logistical disruptions and lead time delays. The report also found that China’s role as crucial actor in global supply remains solid. You can read more about the event and the report later in this newsletter. 

For September we still have an afterwork event on the 27th of September (After Work with Open Mic at Moi, see below for details). In October we welcome the new Finnish Ambassador to China, Mikko Kinnunen to Beijing. There will be an opportunity for our members to meet the new Ambassador after his arrival but details will come a bit later. Finally, the results of the latest Team Finland Pulse Survey will be published coming days, so stay tuned!  

Remember to check out this month’s guest writer piece coming from Wellbridge Ltd Chairman Ulla Nurmenniemi. You can read about the milestones Wellbridge has reached in healthcare cooperation between Finland and China.

We in China are now in the middle of Chinese autumn holiday season. Tuesday 17th September is the Mid-Autumn Day, also known as Mooncake festival. The first week of October will be the Golden Week Holiday celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China.

With these words, on behalf of FinnCham China, I want to wish all FinnCham members and friends Joyful Mooncake Festival and Happy Golden Week!

Kind regards,

Dear friends and colleagues,

As the Executive Director of FinnCham here in Beijing, I have been writing to you every month for years about China's economy and the latest developments in foreign policies. During my nearly eight years in China, I have also consistently worked on healthcare-related projects, consulting clinics and hospitals on management, and assisting healthcare companies with market access to China.

Now, as I shift my focus more on my own field, it’s time to share more about the company behind my work. Naturally, Wellbridge is a member of FinnCham.

Wellbridge was founded in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, to meet the growing demands of the Chinese market. As a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE), it has locations in Haikou (Hainan) and Beijing. The company bridges the healthcare, elderly care, and wellbeing sectors between China and the Nordic countries, and our projects cover a wide range of fields in health and wellbeing.

Being very proud of my Finnish heritage, I know that we in the Nordic region have much to offer. In a complex business environment like China, vision, strategy, and a reliable, extensive network are more valuable than anything. Finland has long enjoyed a strong relationship with China, being the first Western country to sign a bilateral trade agreement with China in 1953 and having established diplomatic relations all the way in 1950. Among other collaborations, our countries have contributed to each other's growth through bilateral government mechanisms, offering joint innovation funding for outstanding cooperative initiatives. On the Chinese side, this funding is granted by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and on the Finnish side, by Business Finland.

One of Wellbridge’s clients, Atostek Oy, has already received this Joint Innovation Funding twice. The first three-year project, which started two years ago, was a collaboration with Shanghai Jiaotong University to develop algorithms for early-stage cancer detection in both countries. The second three-year project, which began a year ago, is in partnership with Chengdu Medical College and affiliated elderly hospitals. This project aims to pilot the implementation of a replica of the Finnish Kanta-system in China. Both are very ambitious projects coordinated by Wellbridge. (photos below)

Last month, Wellbridge signed a three-party agreement with Finland's largest vocational school, Taitotalo, and CAJ Senior Care in Beijing to bring Finnish elderly care training to China. The training follows the Finnish Practical Nurse curriculum in its entirety, with all theoretical teaching provided by Finland, while practical training is conducted in China. CAJ Senior Care is one of the oldest senior care service organizations in Beijing, offering a wide range of services, including home care, nursing homes, a senior advisory center, and a vocational school. This project has gained plenty of support from both countries. The guest speakers at the signing ceremony were Olli Suominen, Education and Science Councellor, Embassy of Finland, and Professor Wu Yushao, President of the China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service. (photo below)

FinnCham China 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. A very cost-effective way to make your company known to a large audience, and get essential contacts for your future.

Not a member yet: Join us HERE

FinnCham China’s mission is to help Finnish companies to succeed in China