David Pan, partner, and the head of the corporate compliance service group, Llinkslaw

David Pan kicked off the proceedings with his keynote presentation titled "Highlights of China's Data Law." David outlined the fundamental categorisation and operational processes of China's data protection laws. He also traced the evolution since the introduction of China’s first data protection-related regulation, the Cyber Security Law, in 2017. David also underscored the new areas of emphasis in the most recent data protection regulations and drafts, such as restrictions on the use of user data by applications, new procedures for data export approval, and enhanced protection measures for data concerning minors. Additionally, David offered detailed explanations of concepts and restrictive clauses within several pivotal data protection laws.

This presentation met the immediate needs of UK universities looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of China’s latest data regulations, and demystified the current regulatory landscape in China, providing UK universities with a clear roadmap. In addition, for those with an interest in data protection laws, CBBC continues to provide a CHESS report analyzing these laws, please feel free to contact Thomas at Thomas.Clayburn@cbbc.org to request this report.

Kenrick Davis, Senior China Policy Analyst, CBBC

After this, CBBC’s Kenrick Davis proceeded to present an in-depth analysis and dissection of China's economic landscape for 2023. With an array of data charts spanning diverse industries, he illuminated the continued economic recovery in China. Traditional industries are still grappling with challenges stemming from the pandemic's aftermath. However, Kenrick highlighted China's strengths in industrial sectors, such as renewables and technology, and the stability offered by government policies. 

 
Sylvia Li, the Head of Business Pursuit, Exams, the British Council

Sylvia Li provided a detailed overview of the current implementation of IELTS in mainland China. IELTS, serving as the pivotal gateway for Chinese students pursuing admission to British universities, continues to evolve in response to the dynamic needs of the Chinese student market, including the addition of test centres to cater to requirements.

Isabel Xu, Director, Knowledge Economy, CBBC

Isabel Xu shared pivotal updates with CBBC's UK university members, includes the recent developments related to CBBC's Comprehensive Higher Education Strategy Service (CHESS). In the 2022-2023 cycle, CHESS has been strategically tailored to address the specific needs of UK universities. It has introduced comprehensive reports and workshops, including the analysis of Data Protection Laws (as briefly covered by David during the event), and an in-depth data analysis of the Transnational Education (TNE) market in China. Isabel also emphasized that CHESS has recently introduced supplementary services, including a valuable China Education Market Operational Service Provider List that is exclusively available to CHESS subscribers. This resource is aimed at aiding UK universities in their expansion into the Chinese market by helping them select reliable service providers. Furthermore, CBBC's education group is actively developing and promoting new activities like summer programmes, as well as hosting events such as the Study UK pop-up event. These initiatives are tailored to introduce British education to Chinese corporate employees.

Finally, it's imperative to take note of the forthcoming UK-GBA Conference, set to begin on 21st November in Shenzhen. This conference will delve into various crucial topics, including the unique characteristics of different cities within the Greater Bay Area (GBA), technology and innovation, and China's outbound investments. The program has been thoughtfully designed to facilitate engagement between delegates and key innovation hubs and universities across the GBA. This will enable participants to gain insights into regional initiatives and explore broader collaborations within the tech and innovation ecosystem. For university representatives with plans to visit China in November, the UK-GBA Conference is an unmissable opportunity. 

Register here now!