CCG Roundtable 1 : Chinese MNCs Entering New Phase of Development

As Chinese companies accelerate their pace of expanding abroad, many of them have moved into the top ranks of multinational companies (MNCs) in recent years. Driven by global expansion, Chinese MNCs are undergoing a significant transformation in their development strategies, management systems, and way they practice corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, Chinese MNCs till have much to learn in these areas, and the best practices of their leading foreign counterparts can provide them with valuable lessons in advancing globalization and boosting competitiveness on world markets.

For this purpose, the Center for China & Globalization (CCG) held the first session of its roundtable series on the theme of “Chinese MNCs Entering a New Phase of Development” on April 13th in Beijing. This roundtable featured Dr. Wang Zhile, a senior research fellow from the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce. As a prominent economist specializing in modern global economic history, Dr. Wang has focused his research on the investment activities of German, Japanese, American and Singaporean companies in China since 1993. As part of this work, he has conducted interviews at the offices of over 80 of these foreign MNCs doing business in China. Based on this in-depth and broad research, Dr. Wang has published a number of important papers and reports on a wide variety of key issues such as foreign investment, national economic security, and self-innovation.

At the roundtable, Dr. Wang shared with the audience the results of his many years of study in these fields and presented his newly-published book on the new stage in the development of Chinese MNCs.  He pointed out that the globalization of markets is shaping the layout of supply chains across the world. This shift is pushing MNCs to transform themselves into truly global enterprises capable of leveraging and distributing global resources to form their own worldwide value chains. At the same time, the development of CSR for MNCs has also entered a new stage in which they are required to comply with international norms.

All the comments, insights, and proposals arising from this roundtable on Chinese businesses going global will be compiled by CCG as part of its annual Bluebook report on the globalization of Chinese enterprises and sent to relevant government authorities.

The CCG Roundtables comprise a key element of the think tank’s operation.  These events gather together the most prominent and influential scholars, experts, government officials and business leaders in regular meetings to discuss the pressing economic and political issues and provide the government with first-rate advice for sound policymaking.