This will be a not-to-be-missed event of lively discussion with Angus Grigg, the Shanghai Correspondent for the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Mary Boyd, Director of Economist Corporate Network Shanghai of The Economist Group and Rob Schmitz, Shanghai Correspondent for America’s National Public Radio (NPR) for a panel discussion.

China remains the driving engine for the world economy despite local economic growth having fallen earlier this year to its lowest rate in more than two decades. This year we have seen major developments for China’s global aspirations - total outbound M&A activity from China overtook the US, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) added the Chinese RMB to its Special Drawing Rights Basket – another milestone for China’s integration into the global economy. China’s economy continues to evolve and shift to one based on internal consumption. This shift has seen another record-breaking ‘Singles Day’ further emphasising the strength of China’s ecommerce scene and domestic demand.

In 2016 all eyes were on China in September as Hangzhou hosted the G20 and continued to promote One Belt, One Road - the initiative to drive growth and engagement in the region. With the shocking result of the United States’ new leadership under President Trump, speculation has turned to what this may mean for the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Not to mention earlier this year Brexit sent shockwaves across the globe and shook up China’s, Australia's, and the rest of the world’s financial and economic markets. Join us for what's sure to be engaging discussion on all of this and more.

Drinks and canapes will be provided. The panel discussion will be followed by an open Q&A.

Our Panel

Angus Grigg, China Correspondent for the Australian Financial Review

Angus Grigg is a China Correspondent for The Australian Financial Review based in Shanghai. He writes on politics, economics, business, trade and social issues across China and north Asia.

Prior to being posted to Shanghai, Angus was the paper’s South East Asian Correspondent in Jakarta. He has been a journalist for 15 years, including a stint in the Canberra Press Gallery and as an investigative reporter in Sydney.

Mary Boyd, Director, Economist Corporate Network Shanghai, The Economist Group

Mary Boyd is responsible for programme development and client servicing in Shanghai. She also provides research and conceptual support on China for Economist Corporate Network programmes.

Before joining the Economist Group Mary Boyd was in the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, serving on assignment in various parts of Asia.

Since leaving government service she has researched and published on economic development and governance issues in China, and has undertaken consultancy work for the World Bank, other international institutions, and multinational companies.

She has written for a number of Economist Intelligence Unit publications, including Country Report, China Hand and Business China. She co-authored the Economist Intelligence Unit report Taking on the Competition: Domestic Companies in China.

Rob Schmitz, Shanghai Correspondent for NPR

Rob Schmitz is the Shanghai Correspondent for National Public Radio and author of Street of Eternal Happiness: Big City Dreams Along a Shanghai Road (Crown, 2016). He has won several awards for his reporting on China, including two national Edward R. Murrow awards. He holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Cancellation Policy

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