EDITION 2024  

On December 5th, the CCI FRANCE CHINE, in partnership with the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou, the Guangdong-HK-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union, and the Guangdong Committee of the China Council for the Promotion International trade (CCPIT), the Guangdong Chamber of International Commerce (GCOIC), with the support of French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEFs) in China, and Business France, organised the third edition of the Sino-French GBA Business Summit

The event, held at the Ritz Carlton Guangzhou, attracted over 350,000 online viewers and gathered high-level speakers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from both China and France. The Summit provided an invaluable platform for deepening economic and cultural ties between the two countries, with a special focus on innovation, sustainability, and cross-cultural business partnerships in the rapidly evolving Greater Bay Area (GBA). It featured keynotes, roundtable discussions, and two major signing ceremonies, illustrating the growing collaboration between France and China. 

The summit opened with welcoming remarks from Caroline Penard, General Manager of CCI FRANCE CHINE, Sylvain Fourrière, Consul General of France in Guangzhou, Chen Xiaofeng, President of CCPIT Guangdong and GCOIC, Rémi Paul, President of CCI FRANCE CHINE, Jason Choi, Vice Chairman of GBA Entrepreneurs Union, Qiu Huilin, Inspector at level 2 of Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office, and a video address from Vincent U, President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute.

Memorandum of Understanding: Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

Two significant agreements that represent the growing synergy between France and China were signed:

1. Marché International de Rungis (SEMMARIS), the world’s largest wholesale food market, signed a partnership agreement with Kingold Group, a leading Chinese conglomerate, to enhance cooperation in the agricultural and food sectors.

2. SKEMA Business School, one of France’s leading international business schools, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Guangdong University of Foreign Studies to promote educational exchange and collaboration in business and management.

Sino-French Innovation in the GBA: Fueling Growth and Creating Opportunities

The first session of the summit focused on the theme of Innovation in the GBA, with key speakers shedding light on how Sino-French cooperation is driving technological advances and new business opportunities in the region.

• Dr. Ma Chaode, Assistant Resident Representative at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China, delivered a keynote address on the role of innovation in sustainable development and how international partnerships can address global challenges.

• Peter Helis, Chief Advisor for Guangzhou Huangpu District, gave a compelling presentation on the development potential of the GBA, stressing its role as a hub for innovation, technology, and investment.

• A roundtable moderated by Fabien Pacory, Executive Vice President of CCI FRANCE CHINE, featured distinguished panelists discussing how innovation drives growth in the GBA:

  • Matthew Ye, President and CEO of Michelin Greater China & Mongolia, shared insights on the future of mobility and how Michelin is fostering technological advancements in the region.

  • Sandra Valmier, Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at SKEMA Business School, discussed the role of education in driving innovation and how SKEMA is contributing to Sino-French collaboration in business education.

  • Esmie Wang, General Manager for Europe at Alibaba Cloud, explained how Alibaba Cloud is supporting businesses in the GBA by providing cutting-edge cloud services that enable digital transformation.

  • D.E. Ada Liao, Member of the Supervisory Board at Kingfa Sci. & Tech., shared the company’s experiences in pioneering sustainable and innovative technologies in China’s fast-growing industrial sectors.

  • Jason Choi, GBA Region President of Sunwah Group, highlighted the role of entrepreneurs in bridging cultural and economic gaps to drive cross-border innovation in the region.

  • Cherish Sun, Director of Public Affairs at HONOR, provided a perspective on the evolving consumer electronics market in the GBA and HONOR’s role in creating innovative technologies.

Impactful Cooperation Projects in the GBA: Driving Tangible Results

The second part of the summit focused on impactful cooperation projects in the GBA, showcasing successful partnerships between French and Chinese companies.

• Richard Bouligny, Deputy CEO of Crédit Agricole Personal finances and mobility, delivered a keynote address on the future of automotive financing and green mobility in the GBA, exploring the critical role that financial institutions play in fostering sustainable mobility solutions.

• A roundtable moderated by Socrate Lao, Vice-President of CCI FRANCE CHINE and Chief Operating Officer of Société Générale China, brought together experts and business leaders to discuss the tangible results of Sino-French business partnerships:

  • Zhao Waiyan, International Development General Manager at Innopharm, shared the company’s efforts to drive global pharmaceutical innovation in the GBA.

  • Andrew Cawte, CEO of Havas Media Hong Kong, discussed the media landscape in the GBA and the growing importance of digital platforms in fostering business development.

  • Jean-Philippe Lamarcade, Vice-President of EDF Group and President of EDF China, discussed EDF’s sustainable energy projects in the GBA and how French companies are contributing to China’s green transition.

  • Eloi Guenet, Asia General Manager at Saint-Gobain Sekurit, shared his insights into the company’s innovations in the automotive and construction sectors, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices.

  • Bertrand Ambroise, International Director at Rungis International Market, discussed his company’s expansion in China and the role of international markets in global trade.

  • Prof. Mo Daoming, Chairman of McWaltz Group, concluded the session by highlighting the importance of academic and business partnerships in driving innovation and sustainable development.

The summit concluded with Christian Gianella, Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the French Embassy in China, offering closing remarks. He emphasized the importance of continued, mutually beneficial cooperation between France and China, particularly in the GBA. Highlighting France’s strategic location at the heart of Europe, he encouraged Chinese companies to invest, noting its world-class expertise, innovation, and leadership in ESG and ecological transition — making it an ideal partner for sustainable, future-focused investments.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Sino-French Business in the GBA

The 3rd Sino-French Greater Bay Area Business Summit has reinforced the deepening ties between France and China, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and impactful business collaborations. CCI FRANCE CHINE and its partners are committed to continuing to shape the future of Sino-French relations in the GBA and beyond. See you next year for the 4th edition!