Gilbert and the Media

My view on the Belgian mission

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

The mega mission

I already gave a short overview on the visit. Here my view on the Belgian mission, personal observations.
As I was rather unhappy with the way preparations were carried out and what happened, so I skipped the huge reception in Kempinski Hotel in the evening of 18 November. I did not miss much, too many people, the VIPs too far away, no contact.
Anyway I already had met the Princess, on 5 September 2008, in the embassy. See one of the pictures (in wheelchair Tennis player Marie Annick Sevenans) and a media article:

Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, accompanied by Prince Lorenz, will arrive in China for a few days. Her main objective is to attend Saturday’s Paralympic Opening Ceremony and wholeheartedly encourage the 20 Belgian athletes participating in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The Princess will personally attend the wheelchair tennis competition on  Monday, September 8. Ms. Julie FERNANDEZ-FERNANDEZ, State Secretary for the handicapped, attached to the Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, will also attend the Paralympics and will represent Belgium at the Closing Ceremony.

And I met earlier Jan Jambon as mentioned, thanks in part to Peter Ritzen.

Media comments, in Dutch

Achter de schermen van handelsmissie China: “Wij maken geen stofzuigers, onze technologie kunnen ze niet snel kopiëren”
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/11/18/achter-de-schermen-van-de-grootste-belgische-handelsmissie-ooit/

Achter de schermen van de Belgische handelsmissie in China (deel 2) : peren, studenten én voetbal
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/11/21/achter-de-schermen-van-de-chinese-handelsmissie-peren-voetbal/
In Shanghai is de Belgische handelsmissie in China afgesloten. Meer dan 630 deelnemers trokken 5 dagen door het land in de hoop een nieuwe afzetmarkt te vinden voor onze producten en expertise. Maar wat gaat dat op termijn opleveren? En was zo’n missie wel gepast op het ogenblik dat het democratisch protest in Hongkong de kop in werd geslagen?

The hacking

The hacking story received a lot of comments, some found it to be naive and out of context. Of course we know the Chinese will hack and spy but the “expert” proved to be rather naive indeed. See comment from VRT.

Just curious I checked my desktop (iMac) that is pretty well protected by its firewall and other basic tricks. Yes, there were some attempts of intrusions but overall it seemed pretty lame. See the screenshot.

As for the impact, I have my doubts.

Yes, a mission led by the Princess can indeed open doors and has a positive effect. However:

– Such a big delegation floods the Chinese administration and business world. As a result meetings can be too superficial and unfocused, and done in a rush.
– Many still have unrealistic and naive expectations in this market. A lot of noise concerning a “new platform to import Belgian products such as beer, cookies, Belgian fries and other”. Good luck with that. Many tried, most failed for a variety of reasons I don’t want to explain here.
– The proof will be: let’s see after one year what became of all the “signed deals”.

Preparation of the mission was in my view disappointing. People with proven local expertise were ignored. No further comments.

TV interview

I was interviewed by Bart Aerts of VRT NWS, we finally agreed on the location: Morel’s Restaurant. I understand the interview would come out in February 2020.

Present were Renaat Morel, Bart Aerts, Karl Lagatie en Vlad Vanderkelen.

Big Data issues

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Indus News again

Another Indus News interview, this time on Big Data issues.
The topic:
Big data and its future: With governments all over the world focusing on the collection of data for a plethora of reasons, we discuss in the show how important big data is in fact in the modern world. Why is there so much emphasis on its collection? How is this data utilized and for what purposes is it used. How is the collection of big data shaping the future of politics and international relations?

My suggested talking points:
– Big Data has become very important in many industries and will grow, it is unstoppable even more with the Internet of Things (everything is connected).
– Regulations need to be in place to address privacy concerns and to protect the vulnerable such as children and others, such as the elderly.
– Companies must clarify what data they gather and how they process and store them.
– Some even think companies should in a way pay for the data, now they harvest free of charge.
– A big concern is the misuse by authoritarian governments, they could use the data for political purposes against dissidents and others, especially if the data collected can be traced to individuals. An example is the Chinese Social Credit System that can trace anything about an individual: website visits, online purchases, online comments, anything.

Oops Internet gone

In the middle of the interview Skype stopped. First I thought there was problem on my side but soon it was clear Indus “was gone”. Soon I got a message through WhatsApp that the studio in Lahore had its Internet cut off… Anyway they still managed to send out the interview, with pieces missing from my side (YouTube):

 

Some more comments on Big Data issues

Big Data is yes, a big issue…

It is being used in so many industries and business: medical, warehousing, inventories, fraud detection, name it. With the increasing computing power and Artificial Intelligence, the sky is the limit…

One major application is to detect trends, in whatever field: in fashion, consumer attitudes, entertainment, politics, opinion on international trade issues, tourism, …. you can basically think about anything.
An example could be: What are the views on the U.S. – China Trade issues? Sources can be the media, in any form, also like Facebook, Twitter, ….

Indus News

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

On Pakistan TV!

I was on Indus News a few times, mostly thanks to Skype video interviews.
I tried to provide the online clips, all on YouTube. Mostly my part is in the second half, so wind forward!
Indus news is the first international news channel of Pakistan.
See a few pics:

Website: https://indus.news/
Twitter: @indusdotnews

Follow some details of the recent interviews.

Climate change

Show on 30 September 2019 in which we shall be discussing, how Pakistan is being impacted by climate change keeping in view the melting glaciers and other. We will also discuss what the role is being played by Pakistan and how much more needs to be done for this region and how the onus lies with the developed world to do more.

We refer to the report that was written by the Global Commission on Adaptation – a group of political and business leaders led by former U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva, which was tasked with “raising the visibility of climate adaptation on the global agenda” ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Action Summit in New York on Sept. 23. Also states that investing $1.8 trillion between 2020 and 2030 in projects to help communities adapt to the worsening impacts of climate change could yield $7.1 trillion in economic benefits, according to a report released on Tuesday by a high-level international commission.

The clip
Indus Special with Meshal Malik | Islamophobia: A Global Threat? | Climate Change | Ep 225

Importance of Trade

Show on 17 September 2019 in which we shall be discussing:
How important is trade for any struggling economy? What important role exports can play? What a country should do to strengthen its economic side?
Also, what important role can individuals play by the government support?
Our main area of debate will be on the importance of local productions and its exports.
Meshal Malik is the show host.
The clip:

Indus Special with Meshal Malik | The Impact of Trade | Ep 216

My notes (not edited)

China as example: achievements in 40 years. From Medieval underdeveloped country to a world power. The factory of the world! Why did other countries not succeed as much?
Exports generate foreign currency, increase productivity, elevate the technological level of the industry.
The secret? Exports combined with technology transfer from the West, to produce more, and more added-value goods, hi-tech, good quality, fast production and logistics, building a massive supply chain to serve the manufacturing industry.
Requires:

  • government support to develop transport and logistics
  • top quality telecommunications, energy and water supplies
  • fiscal advantages – reasonable taxation
  • speed and quality
  • private initiative encouraged (reduce unneeded bureaucracy)
  • good communication with clients
  • go away from labor-intensive industries that also demand a lot of energy and water
  • avoid environmental problems
  • good pool of labor, bothe blue collar and white collar
  • avoid poor labor protection but also avoid stifling bureaucracy
  • own technology development

TikTok

Show on 4 November 2019 in which we shall be discussing:
The U.S. government has launched a national security review of the Chinese based social media app, TikTok and its owner, Chinese tech company ByteDance.. We take a closer look and discuss the impact the US China rivalry is having on technological development and try to understand the role of big data in the competition amongst the world powers.
Meshal Malik is the show host.

The clip:
Indus Special with Meshal Malik – Twitter’s Ban on Political Ads – TikTok Under Investigation – EP 250

The importance of funding in the education sector

Show on 11 November 2019 in which we shall be discussing:
With estimations showing that more than 260 million children out of school globally, what role does international funding play in supporting developing countries and their students attain education and become able enough to compete in the global market. We also look at displaced and refugee children and what needs to be done to improve their chances of education.
What happens to long-term development when countries reduce education budgets or do not invest enough in education?
How can global market needs be met by local educational institutions? (in a globalized world where an individual must be prepared to be a part of a global workforce)
Why are donors and why is international funding important for the education sector?
Meshal Malik is the host.

The clip:
Indus Special with Meshal Malik – Global Educational Attainment – Ep 255 – Indus News

Touch Beijing

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Gilbert on Touch Beijing

First of all more about the program. Touch Beijing is Radio Beijing international’s flagship news and current affairs program. It’s an English language show, which broadcasts live every weekday between 5-6pm from the studios on Jianguomenwai Dajie in Beijing. People in Beijing can tune into the show on 92.3FM and 774AM, but they also broadcast to listeners around the world through the website (http://www.am774.com/) and various radio apps. Each day they invite different guests to join in the studio for an interview, either about a specific topic or their own experiences.

Not the first time

Many years ago I was regularly interviewed on the radio by my friend Bruce Connolly, mostly about the Olympics. Bruce is also a regular at our Monthly Old China Hands Lunch. But I was never in the studio, Bruce always interviewed me on the phone.

The interview

This time, Gilbert on Touch Beijing, was in the studio in the late afternoon of 13 November 2019.

See the pics, it was a fun interview. My hosts were Kat (UK) and Bryan (Beijing). Someone took pictures during the interview which proves it is better to have audio than video…
You can listen, skipping the first 30 minutes of the program:

All recordings: https://mobile.tingtingfm.com/v3/vod/2/2d9esYjxNd
Gilbert: https://mobile.tingtingfm.com/v3/vod/2/Oo5psb0lYd

The questions

See here some of the questions (edited) I received beforehand. Pretty much “the usual”.

  • What was it that first brought you to China?
  • Before you came to China in 1980, what did you know about the country?
  • You originally came to China with a Belgian group to help build a power plant. You then worked on a number of large scale projects (such as the Shanghai metro) and you set up your own company – Beijing Global Strategy Consulting Company. But perhaps the highest profile project you worked on was the preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. How did you become involved in that? What did your job entail?
  • I read in an interview that you never intended to stay in China forever, but you’ve now been here for over three decades (and have a coveted Chinese Green Card). What is it about China that has kept you here for all these years?
  • We could dedicate a whole show to the question “how much has changed since you first arrived in Beijing.” But are there any changes that have particularly surprised/impressed you during that time?
  • As if all of this hadn’t kept you busy enough – you’re also a marathon runner, a cyclist and a published author of two very different kinds of books – “Toxic Capitalism” deals with environmental issues, and “Laugh and Get Wiser” is a joke book! What are your plans for the year of the rat?

Expats witness China’s changes

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

China Daily event

On 12 December 2018 China Daily organized an event in The Bookworm “Expats witness China’s changes”, as China celebrates the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up. China Daily website invited over 30 foreigners to share their stories and insights.
The China Daily online article: https://enapp.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201812/14/AP5c132630a310475542874c93.html

See here the PDF of the article: 181212 CDBookworm

The program and guests:
For the full program see here: 181212 ProgramBookworm

Main speakers:

  • Zhang Chunyan, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Website
  • Laurence Brahm
  • David Bartosch
  • Gilbert Van Kerckhove
  • Alex Chan
  • Hujjatullah Zia
  • Jocelyn Eikenburg
  • Bruce Connolly

Gilbert talking

The official topic and introduction:
2008 it’s an important year for China as Beijing held the Olympics successfully. To many who have watched or attended the Beijing Olympics did have great memory on it, some even remark it was transformative for the city and country. For our next speaker Mr. Gilbert Van Kerckhove, he was deeply involved in the preparation of the Beijing Olympics. He acted as a bridge between the Chinese administration and foreign governments, embassies and chambers of commerce during China’s preparation for the Olympics. Due to his achievements, he was honored with the China Friendship Award, and he was offered a Chinese “green card” in 2008. Now, we have Mr. Gilbert Van Kerckhove to share his 38 years experience during his stay in China.

The report from China Daily:
Gilbert Van Kerckhove is one of the earliest foreign business people to venture into China after its reform and opening-up. The 70-year-old Belgian business strategist has not only witnessed, but also played an important part in the country’s tremendous transformation over the decades.
In 2008, as Beijing prepared for the Olympic Games, Van Kerckhove acted as a coordinator between the Chinese administration and foreign governments, embassies and chambers of commerce.
Looking back on his memorable experiences of the 2008 Olympics, Van Kerckhove summarized the whole complicated effort in one sentence: “It was not only me — it was teamwork. It also illustrates that we foreigners can contribute to this country.”
Living in China for 38 years, Gilbert Van Kerckhove witnessed China’s great transformation. “In this respect, China has being pretty much planning ahead and being very forward-looking,” he said.
Due to his great achievements, he was honored with the China Friendship Award in 2005, and he was offered a Chinese “green card” in 2008.

Meeting friends

Was good to meet some friends who were there as speakers or VIP guests:
Laurence Brahm, David Bartosch, Bruce Connolly and Emanuele  Francia.

See here the pics, mostly from China Daily, others from friends and myself.