May 24, 2019. Shanghai – Representatives from more than a dozen European consulates in Shanghai along with top executives from numerous multi-national corporations were today welcomed to our Shanghai Campus for a special CEIBS Insights Executive Reception that included a keynote speech by Former Prime Minister of France and CEIBS Distinguished Professor Dominique de Villepin. The event, part of the on-going CEIBS 25^th Anniversary Celebration, was held under the theme of China and the World: New Era and New Impetus.

CEIBS President Li Mingjun and CEIBS President (European) Professor Dipak Jain, led faculty and staff in receiving VIP guests at the event. During his welcome address, Professor Jain noted CEIBS’ many achievements over the past quarter-century and shared his vision for working together to build a strong school and a better world for the future. Building on its growing reputation as Asia’s leading business school, CEIBS has now turned its attention to enhancing its international visibility, building brand presence in the US, and strengthening its European and African initiatives. All of this is being done while retaining CEIBS’ competitive advantage, its focus on China knowledge.

“We really want to be a school where the people who come here are successful, but also have a feeling of giving back,” he told the audience. “So, first and foremost, we have to build a strong community. Only with your cooperation can we take CEIBS to new heights and I truly believe the best days of CEIBS are still ahead.”

In his presentation on the topic of The New World Order and the Power of Culture, Professor de Villepin, who is also Chairman of the school’s International Advisory Board, made the point that, in overcoming the challenges faced in today’s world, the importance of culture and dialogue is greater than ever.

“Our world needs imagination, our world needs soft power, our world needs culture, and our world needs understanding,” he stated. “And, I believe, with the help of art, with the help of culture, we might be able to think bigger and think in a more collective way, not only about how much [money] we will make, but how much better the world will be in a sustainable way.”

Guests also benefitted from CEIBS Associate Dean, Santander Chair, and Professor of Economics Zhu Tian’s views on Understanding the Rise of China and Its Implications for the World. He addressed some of the questions surrounding China’s rapid economic rise, while also emphasising the importance of continuing to foster international cooperation.

“We are truly entering a multipolar world where we need more cooperation and it would be more productive for other countries to try to benefit from the rise of China – not to prevent it,” he told the audience. “But, China, Europe, and international business societies should work together for a better world with peace, prosperity, and equality.”

CEIBS Professor of Economics and Finance, Wu Jinglian Chair in Economics, and Associate Dean Xu Bin and Assistant Professor of Accounting Gianfranco Siciliano then joined guests for a roundtable discussion on a variety of topics, including the Belt and Road Initiative, followed by networking over cocktails. Today’s CEIBS Insights Executive Reception was attended by Consul Generals and other representatives from more than a dozen consulates in Shanghai. Top executives from companies such as Coach, Evonik Degusssa, Fosun Fashion Group, Bayer, Cachet Hotels & Resorts, Good Italy, Deutsche Bank, Lilly, Pernod Ricard, PWC, DSM, Emerson, and SAP also participated in the event.

Co-founded in 1994 as a joint venture between the Chinese government and European Union, CEIBS is the only business school in Asia to have simultaneously made it to the Financial Times’ top 5 list of MBA and EMBA programmes. Now in its 5^th year, the CEIBS Insights series of events includes forums and receptions hosted throughout Asia, the United States, and Europe, bringing together experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs to discuss topics relevant to the development of China, Europe, and the world. For more on these and other events being hosted as part of the CEIBS 25^th Anniversary Celebration at the school’s 5 campuses on 3 continents, visit our special CEIBS 25 page here.