As China slowly emerges from its self-imposed COVID-19 isolation and entry becomes easier for foreign businessmen, a critical question that has been pushed to the side will return to the fore: is European business still in love with China? When the pandemic began in 2020, Europe was China?s largest trading partner and Chinese investment into Europe was surging. Even then, however, European FDI into China was in a slump due to frustration with market access. China has since liberalized its investment rules for some sectors. Will that be enough to revive European interest? Or have the combined effects of China?s long Covid lockdowns and Washington?s concerns about China as a security threat caused European business to chill on China and shift their sights elsewhere?
About the speaker:
Dr. Sabine Stricker-Kellerer is an international lawyer with more than 40 years? experience advising European companies on the legal aspects of doing business in China, including structuring foreign investment projects in highly regulated industries, negotiating commercial and investment contracts, trouble-shooting, and engaging in formal dispute resolution. In 1985 she was the first European lawyer to open an office in China. She frequently acts as arbitrator with various Asia-related arbitration institutions. She also is an advisory board member of the Mercator Institute for China Studies, a German think tank, and a founding member of the German-Chinese Dialogue Forum.