China CEO Council Session Report -- Facing Change: Sustaining and driving growth during uncertain times in China

Recent China CEO Councils have focused on dimensioning the momentous economic transition that China is now undergoing, and how the transition is changing – and how it may plausibly further change – the operating environment for MNCs in China under different scenarios. Looking forward, what are realistic opportunities and options for MNCs in key sectors?

Assuming political and social stability are maintained (without intensified repression and isolation that sharply disrupts business), the most probable outcome of China’s transition is some progress with marketizing reforms – eventually – that gradually curb the distorting and corrupt influences of the State sector and boost the role of the more dynamic and productive private and household sectors. Such progress would necessarily yield a better operating environment for foreign MNCs in China. Unfortunately, this outcome is only probable, but by no means inevitable. 

This CEO Council focused on illuminating the tangible steps members are taking to adjust and optimize their investment and market strategies and to prepare their organizations for excelling and driving growth during this unprecedented and unpredictable transition for China.