Nearly 400 economists, academics and members of the media gathered at the
Nearly 400 economists, academics and members of the media gathered at the Shenzhen Intercontinental today for the CEIBS-Chengwei Innovation Summit 2011. The full-day event featured 22 expert speakers addressing the theme “China’s Re-innovation in a Changing World.”
The event began with a lively Welcome Address from CEIBS Executive President Zhu Xiaoming, who told the audience that innovation is “a driving force for economic and social development” in successful companies and organizations worldwide – including at CEIBS. He proved the statement by announcing plans for the school to build a Shenzhen campus in the near future. “We want to serve as a think-tank for the government,” he added, stating: “The forums hosted by CEIBS every year provide a platform for business and political leaders, academics and professors.” President Zhu then thanked Ms Yuan Junqi, Vice Chairwoman of NPC and CEIBS Board Director, for her support in speaking at the Summit and with other projects. “Ms. Yan attaches great importance to innovation and development at CEIBS. With her commitment, we expect more support from the government,” he said. In closing, President Zhu opened the summit with the promise: “Shenzhen is already an innovative city — let’s let this forum further open our minds.”
Delivering the summit’s Opening Address was Mr. Xu Qin Deputy Secretary of Municipal Committee & Mayor, Shenzhen, who told the audience that innovation has been the key driver behind Shenzhen’s transformation from a fishermen village to a model of urban development. “Today, [Shenzhen] has an industrial output of RMB478 million per square kilometre while our energy consumption is half the national average. All this makes us one of the top innovation cities in China.” Mr Xu added that while there is still room for improvement in Shenzhen, the city has set ambitious targets for future growth. “Today we have taken the lead in shifting strategic focus into innovation, and concentrating not only on speed but also on quality,” he said. Lastly, Mr Xu welcomed CEIBS to Shenzhen to discuss the role China can play in today’s innovating world.
“Innovation Culture” was the topic of a presentation by Keynote Speaker Ms. Yan Junqi, Vice Chairwoman of NPC Standing Committee; Chairwoman, Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy. Ms Yan, who is also a CEIBS Board Director, shared her insights into the importance of innovation culture plays in scientific and economic achievements. “In the last 30 years, China has surprised the world with its rapid modernization,” she said. “Today, China must adopt an innovative and scientific approach with Chinese characteristics in order to continue seeking modernization.” She encouraged entrepreneurs to create a culture of innovation by challenging existing knowledge. Promoting a philosophy of “freeing people’s mind” and “inspiring people to seek innovation,” Ms. Yan concluded by stating that “R&D is the hardware of innovation system, while government institutions and cultural mindset are the software of innovation.”
Japan’s Management Guru Dr Kenichi Ohmae next delivered a keynote speech on “New Impetus in China’s Innovations,” telling the Summit audience that innovation is the key to gaining competitive ability and improving market position for companies. Using Thomas Edison’s famous quote “Necessity is the mother of innovation,” he outlined Japan’s efforts to improve its economy while plagued by trade disputes with the US, currency appreciation, and an inflexible industrial structure. He said it was investment in R&D and innovation that lead Japan to establish global brands and gain a competitive advantage. To Chinese companies which are now facing similar challenges, he offered insights into analyzing innovation, and advice on identifying the best method for different types of companies to innovate. “Look broadly to find many ways to satisfy consumer needs and offer the products they seek,” he recommended. Illustrating his speech with a case study on Toshiba’s break-through innovations including its laptop, auto-focus camera, and cyber-education platform, he finished his speech with a suggestion for meeting today’s business challenges: “Redefine the ‘Three C’s’ of company, customer and competitors.”
Taking the stage next was Cheung Kong Professor of Economics Zhang Jun, who is also Director of the China Center for Economic Studies at Fudan University. In his talk on “Why Should We Encourage Innovations?,” Prof Zhang said: “We must have innovation in order to increase the value-added in Chinese production and move up to position our country higher in the value chain.” Prof. Zhang said it is vital to help Chinese companies through this process. He also urged China to promote the growth of independent innovation in order to catch up with the West.
In his talk entitled “How Can We Innovate,” CEIBS Professor of Accounting & Department Chair of Finance & Accounting Ding Yuan stressed that because the Chinese government’s role in driving innovation is limited, innovation should be driven by private companies and individuals instead. Successfully creating a nurturing environment for innovation in China, he added, will require effectively protecting intellectual property rights. Prof Xu concluded by recommending that China take two steps: first, create a business environment that encourages innovation; second, reform the education system to make it more progressive, less rigid.
During the Summit’s Session I panel discussion, CEIBS Vice President and Dean John Quelch moderated four speakers in addressing “New Impetus in China’s Innovations.” Featured panelists Dr. Kenichi Ohmae; Prof. Zhang Jun, Prof. Ding Yuan and Mr. Xu Shaochun, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Kingdee International Software Group Co (and CEIBS Alumni) discussed the key challenges facing today’s Chinese entrepreneurs focusing on innovation, especially the need for talent.
“New Energy and Green Industrial Revolution” was the topic of Session II. Moderator Bruce McKern, Professor of International Business & Co- Director of Center on China Innovation, CEIBS, lead the panel in tackling issues including the role of technological innovation in keeping consumer prices low, low-energy production, and the promotion of electric cars, solar energy, and consumer education to reduce waste. Panelists were Mr. Zhou Changyi, Director, Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization Department, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of PRC; Zhao Tianshou, Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Director of Center for Sustainable Energy Technology, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology; Mr. Miao Liansheng, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Yingli Green Energy Holding Co; and Mr. He Michael, Vice President, BYD Co.
The panel discussion during Session III covered “Healthcare — Fighting for Dominance in Technology and Management.” Speakers included Mr. Xu Jiaqi, Inspector, Policy and Regulations Department, State Food and Drug Administration of PRC; Mr. Xu Xiaolin, Board Director & GM, CCB International Wealth Management Co.; Board Director & Acting GM, CCB International Healthcare Investment Management Co.; Mr. Davy Hwang, Vice President of R&D, Product Development Asia Pacific MD&D, Johnson & Johnson; Mr. Xu Hang, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Mindray Medical International (CEIBS Alumni). The panel discussed emerging business opportunities for innovations in the healthcare, biomedicine and medical device industries. The session was moderated by CEIBS Assistant Professor of Management and Director of Healthcare Management and Policy Research Center, Prof. Zhang Wei.
“After the Internet, What is the Next Keyword?” was the theme of the final panel, moderated by CEIBS President Pedro Nueno, who is also Chengwei Ventures Chair Professor of Entrepreneurship. CEIBS. Executive President Nueno lead the discussion between expert guests: Mr. Mao Wei, Chairman of KNET; Chief Scientist, China Internet Network Information Center; Anthony YH Fung, Professor of Journalism and Communication, Chinese University of Hong Kong; Mr. Zhang Shulue, Board Chairman of MasaMaso, Beijing InMaQ Co. (CEIBS Alumni); and Mr. Mao Chengyu, Partner of IDG China; (CEIBS Alumni). Key issues raised included innovation as a weapon to improve competitiveness, especially in the fast-growing sector of internet. The panel also tackled the pros and cons of investment in internet start-up companies, as well as marketing in the internet and via social networking.
Concluding the Summit with a recap of the day’s “takeaways”, President Nueno told the audience “we really met our objectives today.” He listed the key points raised, stating: “We talked about innovation, stating that it requires stability, vision, government support, entrepreneurial strength. We connected innovation with the ideas of renovation and entrepreneurship. We looked at a range of industries including renewable energy, healthcare and the fastest-growing sector of internet.” Professor Nueno concluded by thanking local authorities, mayor Xu Qin and NPC Standing committee Vice Chairwoman Yan Junqi, for their support. Ending with an inspiring message, Prof Nueno told the audience: “We proved today that Shenzhen is an area committed to innovation and we can learn from it.”
Source – The Asia Career Times