The first edition of the China Business Event was organized on Monday evening 14 December 2009. As China’s importance in the global economy is growing, the China Business Event was initiated to form a platform where Chinese and Dutch business people can mutually share their knowledge, experiences and contacts on doing business with China. At this evening many guests representing both Chinese and Dutch business and government circles were present at the beautiful venue of the Circus Theatre in Scheveningen where this first edition of the China Business Event was held.

 

Mr. Kevin Chow, director of OrienTouch and initiator of the China Business Event, opened the evening with a short word of welcome. Mr. Kevin Chow spoke about his wish that the China Business Event will be organized annually and will develop into a useful platform for those who have an interest in doing business with China.

Thereafter Mr. Louis Genet, Director Investments International City of The Hague gave a short speech. Mr. Louis Genet talked in speech about the intimate relations of the City of The Hague with China. The City of The Hague has been organizing the largest Chinese New Year’s celebration during the Chinese Lunar New Year period for many years already. Furthermore, the City of The Hague jointly and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) jointly organized the second China-EU Cooperation Forum on Economy and Trade China Promotion. The City of The Hague supports the China Business Event as it reflects its wish to be an attractive and welcome destination for Chinese business people. 

The EVD, the Agency for International Business and Cooperation under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, was represented by Mr. Remi Oerlemans. Mr. Remi Oerlemans gave an interesting presentation of the Dutch pavilion in the World Expo which will be held in Shanghai in 2010. World Expo’s promotes the exchange ideas, improvement of international relations, and development world economy, culture, science & technology. The central theme of the World Expo is ‘Better City, Better Life’, as more than half of the global population is now living in urban areas and we all aim for better living in future urban environments. The Dutch participation in the World Expo is now in the final stages of its construction. The Dutch pavilion which is called ‘Happy Street’ is a street with 21 houses in different architectural styles. The street has been shaped as the number 8, which is a lucky number in Chinese culture. A small scale model of Happy Street was displayed in the venue of the China Business Event. The Dutch pavilion shows the world how a densely populated country such as the Netherlands is innovatively coping with space, energy and water. The themes which are exhibited in the Happy Street are: Dutch culture, Dutch innovative industry, and the Dutch creative industry. Throughout the year, many Dutch delegations will visit the Happy Street and organize all kinds of business related events at this venue.

After the speeches the guests continued to share their ideas and experiences on doing business with China amongst each other. In a pleasantly warm atmosphere many new business contacts were made. After the networking session of the China Business Event ended, the majority of the guests continued the evening as guests of the finals of the Miss China Europe Pageant, the largest entertainment event for the Chinese community in Europe.