CeMEAS Podium:
What is the Future of Made in China? Opportunities and Challenges for Europe
Monday, July 17, 2017 • 14:00 – 18:00
Emmy-Noether-Saal Tagungs- und Veranstaltungshaus Alte Mensa
Wilhelmsplatz 3, 37073 Göttingen
The People’s Republic of China, the so-called “factory of the world,” is undergoing a renovation from the ground up. Faced with rising labour costs, sluggish global demand and intensifying competition from neighbouring countries, China’s global lead in low-value production is rapidly disappearing. But Chinese firms, in partnership with the state, have not been flat-footed in the face of these challenges. Under the banner of the “Made in China 2025” plan, China is engaged in an ambitious effort to push Chinese industries up the value chain, a broad-based initiative that encompasses domestic innovation policy, increased state financing of Chinese firms as well as overseas investment policy.
The effects of China’s current industrial policy push will be felt in all corners of the globe and the implications for the German economy are particularly significant. German industry remains ahead of the curve in “smart manufacturing” and this is a driving factor behind the recent surge in Chinese investment into the EU. What are the opportunities and challenges for Europe in this emerging reality? What have the experiences of European firms been with overseas Chinese investment to date and what should we expect in the future? And how is the investment climate in China likely to change in light of the state’s new industrial policy priorities? More generally, what are the win-win scenarios for Europe in China’s state-led move up the value chain? And in what domains does “Made in China 2025” pose a threat to European economies?
This half-day event will explore these issues in discussion with leading international scholars and government experts. A first roundtable will analyze the economic challenges and policy aims behind “Made in China 2025” and evaluate the prospects of this state-led approach to industrial upgrading. A second roundtable will focus on the opportunities and challenges for European economies by analyzing both the drivers and impact of outward Chinese investment in Europe as well as the new terrain of global competition in key sectors, including clean tech.