China CEO Council Session Report - Masters vs. Markets

In November, The Conference Board China Center convened country CEOs and senior-level executives from its member companies in Shanghai for a biannual China CEO Council session. Over 25 senior-most executives attended.

This CEO Council session built on “The (real) New Normal” thesis discussed at the last council meeting in June, to examine the possible future balance points between market and nonmarket forces now shaping the economy and operating environment for MNCs. In the white space between China’s current external messaging, domestic messaging, and the real actions of the government on the ground, new tensions and contradictions are providing new insights into China’s likely direction for the next five years, and the “play space” that may arise or contain foreign investors over the medium term.