Newsletter September 2023

Summer is unfortunately almost over and changes are in the air. Dutch politics seems to be going down the path of renewals and now that the Covid is over, travel is once again in full swing. Diplomats from the US and China have made visits back and forth and very occasionally it seems that they can get a little bit through the same door again. Immediately afterwards, however, they confront each other again with the harsh realities of the trade war, the ban on chip machines and much more. Europe is now worried about the beautiful and overpriced Chinese electric cars and in the meantime, we can also wonder what the new name of the BRIC is going to be now that so many new countries want to join, such as Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Will it be a new G11 as the counterpart to the G7 and G20?

Quickly back to the VNC, because there, besides “business as usual,” it is also time for changes and many great activities! We started last September 11 with the China Café in Utrecht. We are super proud that our incoming board member Lianne Baaij and the other initiators of the China Café succeeded in organizing such a nice event with good speakers at a central location. More on that in this newsletter.

On Sept. 26 we are organizing a meeting together with Tilburg University about “stress,” the differences between cultures and how to deal with them. The Education Committee has turned this topic into a wonderful project that we may be able to roll out nationwide at several universities. (NB. If you would like to help organize these activities or have ideas about catering or sponsorship: let us know as soon as possible!) Together with future board member Aldo Spaanjaars, a policy document has been drafted that will be further explained during the ALV on October 19. As announced in the previous newsletter, there will be new board members and also changes to the website. We have much more in store, but 一步一步来 step by step.

We hope to welcome you to our meetings and also hope that you will help recruit new members – or introduce sponsors. Especially now, in these polarized times, it is so important to be able to operate independently and to share knowledge about China in the broad sense, so that we can generate more dialogue and understand each other better in order to cooperate more where we can.

Monique

VNC Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 18, in Amsterdam

Location: Seapalace Oosterdokskade 8, Amsterdam. Put the date in your calendar!

As agreed at the last Annual General Meeting (AGM), at a second AGM this year the board will address the nomination and accession of several new board members, the 2023/2024 activity plan and the composition of committees and working groups.

Program October ¹⁸, 2023

17:00
Reception on the 1st floor of the Seapalace restaurant.

17:30
Lecture by Aldo Spaanjaars
While enjoying a drink, Aldo will talk about his experiences in China and his views on Chinese management techniques and business insights in an inspiring way. His inspiring book published this year: “Dragon Tactics – How Chinese Entrepreneurs Thrivein Uncertainty” will discuss the turbulent Chinese entrepreneurial environment and the Chinese approach that fits well in an environment that is constantly changing and has a lot of uncertainty.

Aldo also outlines what Western entrepreneurs could learn from the competitive Chinese entrepreneurial style to survive in the ever-changing business environment.

18:30
Dinner (at your own expense) where you can take advantage of the option of a delicious Chinese meal and a drink, at – especially for the VNC – offered price €27.50

20:00
General Membership Meeting VNC

22:00
End of meeting

In anticipation of the Oct. 18 AGM, here is some information about the board’s nominated prospective candidates for the VNC board:

The agenda and relevant documents will be sent by e-mail in early October and will be available for members’ inspection at the VNC office thereafter (please make an appointment in advance: info@vnc-china.nl).

The CPAFFC invited the VNC to its annual meeting in Beijing

President Lin Songtian of the CPAFFC invited the VNC president Monique Knapen and several board members to the big “Meeting of European Friendship Organizations” in Beijing on September 8. Unfortunately, neither the president’s nor the other board members’ schedules allowed them to make use of this cordial invitation. Fortunately, a delegation could be sent to Beijing consisting of members Oey Toen Ping (VNC representative Rotterdam) and Guo Xiu Xiong (co-coordinator VNC National Chinese New Year).

The VNC has maintained a good relationship with the CPAFFC and local organizations in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and many other provinces and cities in particular for many decades. The CPAFFC (中国人民对外友好协会 or simply Chinese 对外友协)was established in 1954 and is one of China’s most important foreign affairs organizations. The CPAFFC manages relations with China’s sister cities and other international organizations abroad. Its goal is to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the Chinese people and foreign countries. The CPAFFC and the other local organizations are important organizations for the VNC to cooperate in China in the fields of culture and economy.

The VNC delegation has now returned from the visit to Beijing. It was very interesting meeting and surprising to see that so many came to Beijing after the Covid period. It became clear that the associations are all facing the effects of the trade war and negative sentiments. The CPAFFC was pleased with the VNC delegation. It was unfortunate that President Monique Knapen herself could not attend. But, the CPAFFC Board stressed, the President of the VNC is welcome on her next trip to China!

Relaunch of the China Cafe at VNC a great success!

With 65 participants, two interesting speakers and plenty of opportunity for networking at a nice central location in Utrecht, the China Café that had a relaunch under the wings of VNC on September 11 was truly a success.

After a welcome drink offered by sponsor Holland Tecs, our chairwoman Monique Knapen extended a warm welcome to the Chinese and Dutch guests. Board member Lianne Baaij then had the floor to interview Brian Blömer, Partner and Head Corporate Service at Moore Shanghai and Yuan Jin, Economic & Commercial Councellor at the Chinese Embassy. The topic of conversation was the eighth edition of the Sino Benelux Business Survey, an initiative of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China and Moore Shanghai. The results paint a picture of the performance and expectations of Benelux companies in Shanghai, especially from the impact of the Covid-19 restrictions and the zero-Covid policy. The picture that emerges is that despite negative sentiment about China, the declining growth of the Chinese economy and difficulties in the labor market, companies continue to believe in China because profits are being made and growth potential is present (see below). From the Chinese government, stimulus policies are being implemented to smooth the consumer market and attract investors.

After this interview, which can also be listened to on podcast, the China Café visitors headed to the bar. With a snack and a drink, discussions continued for a long time, new contacts were made and old ties strengthened. All in all, a pleasant, connecting and informative evening. In November, the China Café will again descend on the Stadsbrasserie De Utrecht. Keep an eye on the newsletter!

Podcast of this China Cafe can be listened to here.

The eighth edition of the Sino Benelux Business Survey, initiative of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China and Moore Shanghai.

This survey included feedback from 170 China-based companies from a wide range of sectors, but 50% were from companies that provide industrial services and goods and those that sell consumer goods. Given all the headlines and geopolitical tensions, the results were surprisingly positive.

• Although, in line with the expectations of the COVID measures, a significant increase in respondents saw a decline in sales, profits remained stable and the Chinese market remains important to respondents’ group strategy.
• The negative trend in business sentiment in 2021 continues and reached a low point in 2022. Despite the negative sentiment, respondents remain positive about the economic/financial outlook and report an expected return to pre-COVID levels in terms of sales growth and profit margins.
• Despite ongoing geopolitical challenges and other uncertainties, only 8% view China’s chances “unfavorably,” 35% somewhat unfavorably, 12% are neutral and 42% “somewhat favorably” and 4% “favorably.” A clear uptick from 2022.
• As a result of the reduced sentiment, 29% of respondents are considering diversifying and moving (parts of) their business out of China, but for most, China remains a crucial market despite the negative perception and performance over the past year.
• Only 15% make a loss, while 23% achieve a net margin of 15%+ on sales.
• A jump to 32% (from 26% in 2022) of companies seeing increasing importance of China in the Group’s overall strategy. A drop to 14% (from 17%) of declining importance.

It can be concluded that despite negative sentiments and media noises, companies believe in China because profits are being made and growth potential is there!

The first China Café under the banner of the VNC was co-sponsored by Holland Tecs a leading maritime electrical wholesaler in the shipping and industrial fields from lighting, batteries, fuses, cables to household appliances. CEO Gerard Stap has been doing business in China for decades and spontaneously joined the China Café on Sept. 11.

Princess Máxima Center

Sidewalk chalking with the kids!

September is the month of childhood cancer worldwide. The Princess Máxima Center also asks extra attention for this disease. Because the treatment of childhood cancer has to get even better. Will you help? The golden ribbon symbolizes childhood cancer. Draw a ribbon with chalk in front of your door, on the schoolyard or at your sports club. Ask family and friends to do the same. We hope to see as many ribbons as possible in the Netherlands this month!

Want to know more about this campaign?
Visit: princesmaximacentrum.nl/monthvankindercancer
Have fun with sidewalk chalk!
Princess Máxima Center

Impressive experience!

Sometimes you have to stop thinking about your work, because life is so much more than that! In my role as a VNC board member, I was invited, along with Ed van der Feer, to the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, where we accompanied a delegation from ACIEN, the Association of Chinese Enterprises in the Netherlands and CCCEU (China Chamber of Commerce to the EU).

One of those clear moments when not only work must be set aside, but also geopolitics. The only thing that matters at the Princess Máxima Center Foundation and the research and care center is curing every child with cancer, with an optimal quality of life.

The center, unique in the world, combines world-class research facilities with an equally unique patient care center that not only bridges the gap between the research and its immediate results and impact, but is also uniquely designed to reduce stress and optimize life for the young patients and their parents, siblings.

“The Máxima,” created by combining seven regional facilities in one location, is making great strides toward improving survivorship. And the only way that can be done is through more and better research, better collaboration, better funding and, in a world increasingly driven by AI, the ability to share large data sets.

So it was great to accompany the delegation and learn more about the needs of the foundation and the research center and to brainstorm ways to support the work of the medical center and the Chinese PHDs who contribute to the research. Many thanks to the Princess Máxima Center for a very inspiring visit. Very impressive what the foundation achieves!

Last but not least, our visit coincided with global Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and a global campaign is taking place to raise awareness and funding. If you would like to contribute, please follow this link: https://www.prinsesmaximacentrum.nl/nl/kinderkanker-bewustwordingsmaand-2023

Aldo Spaanjaars

In the sun

“The subject of Chinese language and culture is a wonderful subject” said Gwendolyn. Students not only learn a foreign, non-Western language, but they also learn about Chinese culture, a completely different culture than Western culture. This broadens their outlook and teaches them to reflect on their own way of thinking and acting and not to take it as the norm without question. “It also gives them a sense of self-worth: they are doing something special, something that not everyone does!”.

In addition to the exchanges, there are of course many other activities, such as recently visiting the performance The Banana Generation, the poet Chen Yuhong in class, a Language Village (organized by Nuffic), participation in an art exhibition of the Chinese Cultural Center, and so on!

Ten years ago, Gwendolyn started taking Chinese at Rhineland. It evolved from additional elective to profile and exam subject. She has about eighty students, who, by the way, are regularly delighted with the latest copy of China Now!

Thanks Gwendolyn, a great promotion for the VNC!

Stress perceptions among students/youth in the Netherlands and China, September 26, Tilburg University

In the Netherlands, almost all students experience stress (97%) and more than half also suffer from performance pressure (54%) (Trimbos institute). The relaxed Netherlands, with the happiest youth in the world, seems to have disappeared. In China, we don’t know any better: gaokao, tiger moms, wolf dads, chicken-blood parents: high ambitions of parents for young people who have to live up to them for their families. How do young people deal with this? Are there differences, similarities, solutions? Can we learn from each other and help each other perhaps?

So, youth stress is a current problem facing the Netherlands, China and many other countries. The working group Education of the VNC will dedicate a special meeting to this on September 26 in cooperation with Tilburg University to talk with students among themselves about this form of stress and go deeper into the similarities and differences between the Netherlands and China but also to offer ideas and suggestions in this regard. A sinologist, psychologist and educator will outline the framework and discuss the main stress factors.
Do you recognize the above problem or do you have your own suggestions or ideas; come and discuss it in a casual atmosphere!

Register at: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/students/events/experiencing-stress

Unfortunately, only a limited number of seats are available on the September 26th meeting, so be quick. If you can’t make it, don’t worry because this meeting on stress perception will soon be held at other locations around the country. We will keep you informed!

Location: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/nl/contact/campus-map/cobbenhagen

Tip from VNC: Dance group Groundbreakers brings Monkey King to the Netherlands

Groundbreakers and Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe present not a traditional storyline, but a unique blend of powerful, abstract Western dance language and bold Chinese acrobatics. You will be on the edge of your seat watching energetic, dynamic movements on stage. Experience the power of determination and discover what courage it takes to stand up for yourself.

Performances:
Dec. 2, 8:00 p.m.: World premiere at Theater de Tamboer Hoogeveen, dance performance
Dec. 8, 8:00 p.m.: Theater Orpheus Apeldoorn, dance performance
Dec. 15, 8:00 p.m.: Schouwburg Hengelo, dance performance

Groundbreakers makes dance that matters. Raised in China, the choreographer approaches dance from a highly experimental perspective, always searching for the limits of dance. Chinese antiquity is the beginning and that is transformed and combined into contemporary Western modern art. The form and identity of Groundbreakers is crossover dance productions. Modern dance with break, modern dance with Chinese dance or other Chinese art forms. Dance with Kung Fu and acrobatics.

For information or booking send an email to info@groundbreakers.nl

Invitation for VNC members. 10th edition, Art The Hague (4-8 OKT)

European first: Preview famous Chinese artist Wang Lijun

From October 4 to 8, 2023, WTC The Hague Art Gallery will present recent paintings by Chinese painter and visual artist Wang Lijun as a preview during Art The Hague. Wang Lijun was born in 1970 in Wendeng to an artistic milieu. After his education, he established himself as a professional illustrator, painter and visual artist.

Because 16 paintings featured in the immensely popular Chinese TV series Imperfect Victim 不 完美受害人, with a cast of famous actors and actresses, his paintings enjoy great fame and interest from the art market. At 6 p.m., the fair will be opened to the public. The official opening of the fair will be performed at 6:30 p.m. by Pat Smith, Night Mayor of The Hague. At WTC The Hague Art Gallery, we have the scoop to present for the first time in Europe the work of the famous artist Chinese Wang Lijun. The detailed program of Art The Hague and an overview of participating galleries can be found at artthehague.nl

We would like to invite you as our guest for the preview and opening on Wednesday, Oct. 4,
from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Please click https://artthehague.nl/opening/. The discount code is WTC.

Lunar celebration BIZ Chinatown The Hague

September 30, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Program

• 13.00 Welcome
• 1:30 Opening show with Chinese lion dance
• 2 p.m. Various music, song and dance performances by Chinese artists
  • Workshops Chinese calligraphy, Chinese moon cake making
  • Children’s activities, Market stalls with Asian food and drinks,
  • Souvenirs, clothing and more
• 6:30 p.m. Chinese Moon Festival concert
• 8 p.m. End

In the afternoon there will be a nice Cultural Program with professional Chinese artists and local artists. There is also a Chinese market with 80 stalls scattered throughout the Chinatown in The Hague. Food and non-food. Not to mention, the fantastic restaurants where the culinary gourmets can indulge to their heart’s content.
In the evening, there will be a special Moon Festival concert with an exciting cultural program.

The Moon Festival Concert begins in the evening 6:30-8 p.m. Tickets for seating at the Moon Festival Concert are available for €10 per seat.

As in other years, the VNC will participate in the program along with the China Times.
Keep a close eye on the VNC booth, as there are fun things to do!

The wonderful story of the Chinese Moon Festival (and the “mooncakes” ) 嫦娥奔月

In the distant past, there were ten suns in the sky and the earth became scorched and people were in danger of dying. The hero Yi(后羿) takes aim with a bow and arrow and shoots nine suns. The last sun confesses guilt and begs for mercy. Yi suppresses his anger and puts away his bow after which the sun is given orders to rise in the morning and set at night and be a blessing to the people. Everyone greatly admires Yi and later he marries Chang’e(嫦娥). She is very beautiful and can sing and dance. Yi is praised for being a good wife. One day Yi meets a priest and who greatly admires Yi’s divine power.

Yi is given an immortality medicine by the priest as a reward for what he has done. If Yi eats this, he will ascend to heaven as an immortal. Back home, Yi gives the medicine to Chang’e and tells her to put it away properly. There are people apprenticed to Yi and one of them is the disciple Peng Meng. Although he seems honest and loyal, however, he is false and mean. When he hears of the immortality medicine he wants to steal it to use it himself. On the fifteenth day of the Eighth Month of that year, Yi goes hunting with his apprentices.

Peng Meng sneaks away in the evening and tries to seduce Chang’e. By force, he tries to take away the immortality medicine. Chang’e is distraught and wonders if she should commit suicide to prevent Peng Meng from getting his hands on the medicine. So she ends up swallowing it herself and in an instant she flies out through the window and ends up in the Moon Palace. Yi comes home and storms out. When he sees the moon in the sky, he becomes very sad.

The neighbors tell Yi to wait patiently because the following year the evening of the fifteenth day of the Eighth Month dawns again. Yi and his neighbors take round fruits and make round cakes, which they display in the courtyard to show Chang’e that they wish for a reunion with Yi. Thus they wait every year, but Chang E does not return. Over the years, centuries thereafter, it becomes a ubiquitous custom to hand out the beautiful and deliciously round mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Chang’e still hasn’t come back, unfortunately, and poor Yi is still waiting for her!

Kunsthal Rotterdam, Ai Weiwei

September 30, 2023 to March 03, 2024

The Kunsthal Rotterdam, opened in 1992 and is one of icons of modern architecture. It is the first Kunsthal in the Netherlands. With contrasting and high-profile exhibitions and activities, there is always something to do. The building is located in Museumpark, next to the Natural History Museum and has an entrance on the Westzeedijk.

The Kunsthal Rotterdam is showing this fall the large-scale exhibition of one of the leading artists of the moment. Bicycles welded together, the Bird’s Nest, a hundred million porcelain sunflower seeds. They all refer to one of China’s most famous artists.

Born in 1957 in Beijing, Ai Weiwei is a multidisciplinary artist, architect, photographer, designer, critic and activist, son of noted Chinese poet Ai Qing, himself a student of avant-garde theory in Paris between 1929 and 1932. Qing, a major influence on Weiwei’s way of thinking. In this major exhibition at Kunsthal Rotterdam, you will not only see much of his work, but also learn about his impressive life.

Museumpark, Westzeedijk 341, 3015 AA Rotterdam, https://www.kunsthal.nl

The oldest wine producer in China “Chateau Changyu”

According to data from the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), China ranks third worldwide in terms of wine-producing countries, with about 785,000 hectares of vineyards. In terms of final wine production, China currently ranks 12th, producing 4.2 million hectoliters. It should be noted, however, that production before the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly higher.

Wine culture is a staple of Chinese culture. It has its own history with mostly different products than we are familiar with in the Western market. European wine was introduced to China in the 19th century. In the year 1892, Chinese diplomat and business magnate Zhang Bishi, established the first winery in China. Zhang introduced European vines and released his first wines under the name “Zhang Yu Wine Company.” He was assisted in this endeavor by an Austrian named August Wilhelm Reichsfreiherr von Babo, who was director of the wine school of Klosterneuburg, near Vienna. Von Babo laid the foundation for what is now known as “Changyu,” the largest and oldest wine producer in China, with eight wineries scattered throughout China. Then in the 20th century, France in particular took wine culture in China to new heights.

True wine lovers may look at this with disbelief and skepticism. This is not justified, because in recent decades, a large number of new wine countries have emerged and their wines have gained a place of their own in the Western wine trade and supermarkets. So too has Chinese “high quality” wine , which is enjoying a growing market.
Chinese wines were originally sweeter in taste and did not meet Western taste preferences. As a result, they have remained unknown in the West. However, Chinese viticulture is centuries old. China has now become the largest export market of Bordeaux wine and has already passed England and Germany. China has thus become the largest and fastest growing wine consumption country in the world.

Wine has become a new cult in China, including among young people. Last month, a well-known basketball player in TikTok announced that he still had several thousand bottles of wine in stock that he would like to part with. This was not to deaf ears as within 5 seconds the entire stock was sold for US$300,000! This immediately raised the question, has wine now become “the e-selling” product of choice?

The time seems right to pay serious attention to these new developments. The VNC is preparing a wine tasting and lecture on China as a major wine importer and producer for next year. We will keep you informed!

Mei Wang’s podcast episodes

VNC member Mei Yang makes podcasts that, like the VNC, focus on the relationship with China. She is Chinese, but lives and works in the Netherlands. She creates the podcast “Our Cultures & Our World “, which we are happy to share with you. This podcast aims to provide you with a broad knowledge about China, the Chinese, Chinese culture, insights about different business fields and how to do business in China. May hopes that her guests’ cross-cultural travels, their personal stories and their business experiences will inspire many people to learn from and connect with each other.

At the end of each interview, her guest will share interesting tips on doing business in China and how to connect with Chinese people. All tips can be found at: https://iibboo.com/podcast/

Here is the link to her latest podcast on Chinese and Dutch parenting styles: https://open.spotify.com/show/23MDLHw0ZIZEo05AsNhwjq
Jinfeng Shen is also a speaker at the Sept. 26 Stress event in Tilburg, see earlier in this newsletter.

You can view or listen to all podcast episodes on the following platforms:

• Youtube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• Googlepodcast

In Mei Wang’s latest podcast episode, enjoy the China Cafe
last Sept. 11 in Utrecht