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From the desks of the Presidents


Dear Members and Friends

This is a special newsletter for many reasons. Read on and you will see why.

Since May 2016, this is the 90th edition of the SCCC newsletter, which, except for the summer break, informs our members on a monthly basis about issues, trends, events, and matters of interest to the stakeholders of the Swiss Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

In 8 years – what a great number in the Chinese cultural context – we’ve grown from a few hundred readers to more than 4,500 email addresses that receive the newsletter on the first working day of each month. This is more than we have members, which shows that the newsletter has a reach beyond the SCCC to stakeholders in other organizations and government institutions interested in Swiss-Chinese business relations. This is a remarkable achievement that is only possible thanks to the feedback we receive from you, which enables us to improve, stay relevant, and create value for the recipients of our newsletter. When you add the forwarding of the newsletter and its online availability, we have an even greater reach.

Over the past eight years, China’s economic environment has undergone many changes. Despite numerous challenges, Swiss companies have adapted well and remained relevant. Whether it was sudden regulatory changes that tested their flexibility and adaptability, or currency trends that made it harder for Swiss products to compete with those from other countries and domestic competitors in China, Swiss companies have consistently demonstrated their ability to innovate and thrive.

Swiss companies have stayed the course, maintained their presence, and protected their values and corporate culture. If you travel to China and engage with our sister organizations SwissCham in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, or with the Swiss Clubs in various cities, you will see the strong presence of the Swiss heritage of quality, service, and innovation.

Listening to the voices in the Swiss political institutions, be it at the national or cantonal level, one can observe a disconnect between the economic reality and the perception in these institutions. The disconnect seems to be based on a lack of first-hand experience of the impact of Swiss companies in China and the economic benefits that Swiss companies’ economic engagement brings back to Switzerland. It is not just about employment and tax benefits. You have to understand the ever-increasing challenges faced by Chinese companies and innovators. They are forcing Swiss companies and entrepreneurs to be even more creative and faster to market – a remarkable contribution to maintaining Switzerland’s global leadership in innovation. The impact of Swiss business culture and values in China cannot be overstated.

At this crucial moment for the Chinese economy, when salaries and jobs are being cut – for the first time in China in decades, if not ever – the employees of Swiss companies based in China can feel the difference. Their knowledge and value to their organizations are highly respected, giving them a sense of security that encourages them to do their best. So, everyone wins – the China-based employees, the Swiss entrepreneurs and companies in China, AND their employees and headquarters in Switzerland, enabling tax payments from profits and employment that allow us to maintain our world-leading standard of living in Switzerland.

Going forward, the economic bridge between China and Switzerland will have to accommodate different modes of exchange and transport. Cooperation between the world’s leading innovator and one of the world’s largest consumer markets is a way that seems to be able to navigate the fast-moving and direction-changing geopolitics. There will be challenges and hurdles ahead, but as the old China hands will tell you, this has always been and will always be the way to work with or in China.

Later this week we have the AGM on 7 June. If you have not already signed up, here is the link to the last-minute registration. There will be prominent guests as well as interesting breakout sessions. All at no cost to our members, so we are counting on as many members as possible to attend.

After 8 years and 8 months, Felix Sutter will hand over the presidency to his successor. This will be his last contribution to the monthly SCCC newsletter.


We wish you a successful run-up to the half year mark, the next newsletter will be published in early July.

Kind regards







Felix Sutter
President Zurich
Headquarters
Alexandre Gaillard
President Romandie
Chapter
Alex Chung
Chairman Ticino
Chapter

In this Newsletter

Upcoming Events Announcements News New Members Past Events

Events

 register

AGM SCCC & SHKBA - Swiss China Summit

Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport, Rondellstrasse, 8058 Zurich
June 07, 2024 | 14:00-19:30 | Add to calendar
Attend the AGM 2024 & Swiss China Summit at Radisson Blu!
 register

Member Benefit: Business Counselling

SCCC Office or Online
June 12, 2024 | 17:30-19:30 | Add to calendar
Book an in-depth 1:1 business consultancy with an expert.
 register

Hong Kong - A Leading Hub and Gateway for Family Offices

UBS Conference Center Gruenenhof, Nüschelerstrasse 9, 8001 Zürich
June 17, 2024 | 17:00-20:00 | Add to calendar
Welcome to the Family Offices Event!
 register

Doing business with China in times of “de-risking” | SCCC Romandie

Esplanade de Pont-Rouge 2, 1212 Lancy (On the 8th floor, Baker McKenzie)
June 19, 2024 | 12:15-13:45 | Add to calendar
Come to understanding opportunities and risks for Swiss and European business in times of geoeconomic fragmentation.
 register

Geneva Airport Panorama Terrace | SCCC Romandie Afterwork

Geneva Airport, Panorama Terrace, Terminal 1, 4th Floor, 1215 Meyrin
June 24, 2024 | 18:30-21:00 | Add to calendar
Spectacular panoramic views, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Geneva while networking with industry peers.
 register

SCCC Afterwork Drinks

Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich, Bahnhofplatz 7, 8001 Zürich
July 03, 2024 | 17:30-19:30 | Add to calendar
SCCC is delighted to invite you to its afterwork drinks at Schweizerhof Zurich!
 register

SCCC Afterwork Drinks

Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich, Bahnhofplatz 7, 8001 Zürich
September 04, 2024 | 17:30-19:30 | Add to calendar
SCCC is delighted to invite you to its afterwork drinks at Schweizerhof Zurich!
 register

Member Benefit: Business Counselling

SCCC Office or Online
September 11, 2024 | 17:30-19:30 | Add to calendar
Book an in-depth 1:1 business consultancy with an expert.
 register

SCCC Afterwork Drinks

Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich, Bahnhofplatz 7, 8001 Zürich
October 30, 2024 | 17:30-19:30 | Add to calendar
SCCC is delighted to invite you to its afterwork drinks at Schweizerhof Zurich!
 register

The Second China International Supply Chain Expo

China International Exhibition Center, Beijing
November 26, 2024 | 09:30-18:00 | Add to calendar
CCPIT cordially invites you to attend the second China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing!
 register

Member Benefit: Business Counselling

SCCC Office or Online
December 04, 2024 | 17:30-19:30 | Add to calendar
Book an in-depth 1:1 business consultancy with an expert.
 register

SCCC Christmas Apéro 2024

SOHO, Hardstrasse 260 8005 Zürich
December 18, 2024 | 18:00-21:00 | Add to calendar
Please save the date for SCCC Christmas Apéro 2024. More details will come.

Announcements

Get useful answers about doing business in China!

Visit the China Business Guide
The China Business Guide is a website with very useful information about doing business in China. You will find key questions and answers for business relevant topics. Answers are available in German and English.

Should you need any tailored answers to your specific questions, our experts from the various business industries are here to assist you in your projects.

Sublease Offer: 12 m² furnished office plus shared conference room at SCCC Headquarters

More Information
We are pleased to offer an office room of approx. 12 m² and a serviced shared conference room of approx. 26 m² at the SCCC headquarters in downtown Zurich with a compatible sub-tenant.
For more information and inquireis, please contact info@sccc.ch.

A Guide to Living and Working in China as Business Expatriates & Guide to Payment Services in China

The following two brochures are available at the Head Office of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zurich for those who have a relevant need for them:
  • A Guide to Living and Working in China as Business Expatriates
  • Guide to Payment Services in China

SCCC Head Office Address:
Kappelergasse 15, 8001 Zurich

News Switzerland - China

         
 
May 29, 2024 / News
IMF: China's growth to stay 'resilient' at 5%

China's economic growth is projected to "remain resilient" at 5 percent this year, driven by its strong first-quarter data and recent policy measures, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday after its team concluded a visit to the country.
That forecast reflects an upward revision of 0.4 percentage point, compared with the IMF's World Economic Outlook 2024 projections released in April.For next year, the world's second-largest economy is expected to grow at 4.5 percent, also a 0.4 percentage point-higher revision, the IMF team said in its preliminary findings issued at the end of the 2024 Article IV Consultation trip to China, led by Sonali Jain-Chandra, IMF's China mission chief.
 
May 20, 2024 / News
Foreign visitors praise their travel experiences

China is building a more positive tourism image globally, with more foreign visitors sharing their good travel experiences online and not unfairly stereotyping the country.
Two Mad Explorers from Ireland, a video blog channel on YouTube with more than 160,000 subscribers, has recorded the experiences of two travelers from the European country who started their trip to China two weeks ago from Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province. They describe Chengdu as "clean, beautiful, very modern and an affordable place to visit".
Two visitors from Italy, Sydia and Mica, told Douyin blogger Broke Laowai, who has over 600 followers, that they have traveled to Beijing, Pingyao in Shanxi province and Xi'an in Shaanxi province.
Sydia said she found the people in China to be very kind and thoughtful. They try to help foreigners even if the latter don't speak Chinese and they themselves don't speak fluent English, she said.
 
         
 
May 17, 2024 / News
ABB buys Siemens's wiring accessories business in China

ZURICH, May 17 (Reuters) - ABB has agreed to buy the wiring accessories business of German rival Siemens in China, the Swiss engineering group said on Friday. The acquisition will broaden ABB's market reach and complement its regional customer offering within smart buildings, the company said. No price was given for the acquisition. Under the deal, which is expected to close in the next 12 months, ABB is acquiring a business which makes wiring accessories, smart home systems, smart door locks and other home automation products.
 
May 06, 2024 / News
China an important market for multinational companies, says FGS Global CEO

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland -- China is a crucial market for multinational companies given its remarkable achievements in the last decades, Alexander Geiser, the CEO of FGS Global, has said.
FGS Global is a public relations company focusing on crisis management, government affairs, corporate reputation and capital markets communication with 1,300 employees and 30 offices, including one in Beijing and Shanghai.
"What China has done and accomplished over the last 30 years is unrivaled. We've never seen a nation that has been so successful in creating wealth in such a short period of time," Geiser told Xinhua on the sidelines of the 53rd St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland.
 

New Members


We welcome our new Individual Members:
  • Xuwenjia Li
  • Martin Wernli
Not a member yet? Apply for membership HERE.

Past Events

Book Presentation: Der Techkrieg China gegen USA - und wo bleibt Europa by Wolfgang Hirn

MoneyMuseum, Hadlaubstrasse 106, 8006 Zürich
May 30, 2024 | 17:30-20:30
  To gallery

Swiss-Chinese Life Sciences Forum 2024

Arena Cinemas, Stücki Park, and Superlabs, Hochbergerstrasse 70, 4057 Basel
May 14, 2024 | 09:00-13:30
  To gallery

Proverb of the month

无规矩不成方圆。


Wú guī ju bù chéng fāng yuán.

Without standards, no boundaries are set.


Partners

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is the largest bank in the world. Its Swiss branch was entered in the Commercial Register on 11 December 2017 and officially opened in Zurich on 21 June 2018. ICBC Zurich offers valuable networks and comprehensive services and advice to Swiss investors intending to invest in China.
 
 
Vischer AG
 
 
 
PwC Switzerland Global Enterprise
 

Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Zurich Head Office
Kappelergasse 15
8001 Zurich

Phone: +41 44 421 38 88

info@sccc.ch
Romandie Chapter
4, bd du Théâtre
1204 Geneva

Phone: +41 22 310 37 10
info.romandie@sccc.ch
Ticino Chapter
c/o Alex Chung
Piazza Riforma 1
6900 Lugano
Phone: +41 58 866 70 95

ticino@sccc.ch
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