In this episode of The Bilateral, we explore cognitive empathy — understanding how the other side thinks — in Canada-China business relations. We've seen how strained bilateral relations and limited government interactions have led to misunderstandings. Western media can often portray a one-sided view of China, missing the nuances necessary for a full understanding. Our focus in this episode is on building a deeper understanding and appreciation of another's perspective and feelings. We welcome our guests, the Honourable Martin Cauchon, former Minister of Justice, counsel at DS Lawyers Canada ..read more

In this second episode of a two-part series exploring the intricacies of intellectual property (IP) protection amidst China's evolving digital landscape, we hear from Brent Arnold, Partner, at Gowling WLG. Brent will provide an overview of new data protection laws and regulations, and highlight several case studies on data ownership and transfer.  If you missed it, we recommend you listen to our previous episode for Part 1 on IP protection and registration in China with Jason Yang, Associate, Patent Agent at Gowling WLG. Thank you to CanExport Associations for its support ..read more

Welcome back, Bilateral listeners! Get ready for Season 2 of The Bilateral with Sarah Kutulakos and our new co-host, David Perez-Des Rosiers. David is moving from Quebec, Canada, to Beijing, China, next week and we're looking forward to his firsthand perspective on China's dynamic landscape. And with David as our resident CCBC Francophone, we're delighted to announce we'll be offering more French episodes this season. Tune in to discover the exciting topics we'll cover this season. Keep up with The Bilateral by following us on our social channels (LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram) and if you ..read more

The Bilateral is delighted to welcome Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, who joins us in Beijing to discuss his nearly 20 years as an entrepreneur in China. WPIC won Gold in the Exceptional SME category. Jacob and his organization have grown from a fledgling tech startup in China to serving major multinationals from around the world with their in-house expertise and native big data analytics for China’s e-commerce landscape. In this wide-ranging talk, he discusses WPIC’s incredible growth story, his views on the Chinese consumer mindset post-COVID, new adaptatio ..read more

Our next episode in the awards miniseries is with Tianpeng WANG, Founder of Trustiics RealTime Global Counsel, Silver winner in the Exceptional SME category. Trustiics, which is kind of like Uber for legal services, helps SMEs affordably navigate legal services. Trustiics works as a one-stop solution for SMEs to get connected with trusted lawyers in China and other overseas markets. It is the world’s first online platform connecting international businesses with pre-vetted English-speaking lawyers in China. It allows SMEs to mitigate their business and legal risk, expand and grow in internatio ..read more

China is on a globally unprecedented mission: to green its economy, to broadly increase quality of life for its citizens, and to create a sophisticated, fair and modern market for business. At the macro level, these goals would inspire increased confidence from most foreign executives seeking to trade and invest in this complex landscape – but what are the on-the-ground commercial implications for companies operating in these shifting tides? CCBC and PwC China have co-authored a report which seeks to unravel that question through the lens of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) guidance ..read more

To wrap up our three-part miniseries on the 14th Five-Year Plan, CCBC Managing Director China Noah Fraser interviews his counterparts at the US-China Business Council (USCBC) and China Britain Business Council (CBBC) — Matt Margulies, Senior Vice President, China, USCBC, and Tom Simpson, Managing Director and Chief Representative, CBBC — on the eve of the conclusion of the Two Sessions or “lianghui.” The conversation dives into the parallels and divergences between our three bilateral relationships, and move into practical takeaways from the five-year plan and the Two Sessions, including the r ..read more

Next in our awards miniseries is Viva Naturals, Silver winner in the Outstanding Member category. This episode features Sarah Kutulakos’ conversation with Candice Yin, who handles China e-commerce for Viva Naturals, a Toronto-based provider of vitamins, supplements, and wellness products. Viva was established in 2011 and started exporting to China via cross-border e-commerce in 2017. The company’s growth has been amazing. Key takeaways from Candice: A successful Chinese e-commerce strategy can allow a small Canadian company to compete on a global scale. Viva’s China growth has spurred new co ..read more

Radley Mackenzie is the founder of SinoSports Development in Toronto, which received the Bronze Award in the education category at CCBC’s 2020 Business Excellence Awards.  SinoSports combines education and sports, arranging camps, coaching, and recruitment of Chinese athletes to Canadian private schools.   Key takeaways from Radley: Sports help Chinese kids to be more well-rounded, something the traditional Chinese education system lacks. Drivers of sports development in China include top-down factors from government – it has benefits for public health and helps youth build characte ..read more

Cyndi McLeod, CEO, Canada, for Global University Systems, was CCBC’s 5 at 50 winner in the Alumni category. Cyndi is an expert in strategic international partnerships and international education, and she has worked in both public and private education. Cyndi started engaging in China early, leading the way in British Columbia’s international education efforts back in 1999. Highlights from Sarah’s conversation with Cyndi: • Among her favourite exchange programs: training of Chinese respiratory therapists and of front-line customer services service employees for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. • Cy ..read more