University of Ghent in China!

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

I graduated at the University of Ghent in 1973 as master in electronic engineering. I highly appreciate the education I got there to become an engineer. The most important aspect of the 5 years: I learned to learn. We learned not be afraid of anything new; we just delve into it and try to grasp the essence in a short time. That has allowed me to be involved in the most diverse technical sectors. Never being an expert but always good enough to deal with the business and to see the bullet points (and to figure out something does not add up!).
On Sunday 8 September I attended the Chinese Alumni Network of Ghent University Reception at the Embassy of Belgium, hosted by our Belgian Ambassador Michel Malherbe.
From Ghent University I had the pleasure to meet Professor Paul Van Cauwenberge, vice-chancellor of Ghent University,  Professor Dr. Luc François and Luc Taerwe, Ph.D. (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture).
There was also a speech by professor Tang Huajun, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and alumnus of the university.


See my picture with the Rector!
I guess I will be probably the oldest alumnus in Beijing… And now I finally also have a pin of Universiteit Gent!
Domien Proost is the Representative of East Flanders & Ghent University China Platform in Beijing. The University is very active in China and has several agreements with Chinese institutions.
Currently around 350 Chinese students are studying in Ghent.

Launch of the EUCCC Position Paper 2013/2014

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

The European Chamber’s highly-anticipated and influential annual Position Paper was  launched on 5 September in the Fours Season’s Hotel. I attended the morning Press Conference as Chair of the Public Procurement Working Group.
This year’s paper includes 26 vertical industry working group papers with more than 800 recommendations. It draws directly from the knowledge and expertise of the Chamber’s 1,700 member companies following a six-month consultative process.
European Chamber President Davide Cucino introduced the Position Paper at a press conference attended by more than 100 members of the media. He then provided an overview of the Executive Position Paper — which highlights many of the main issues raised in the working group papers — illustrating his points with clear examples and proposing constructive recommendations to promote China’s sustainable economic growth. The pillars of the Executive Position Paper are as follows:

  • Strike a new balance between market forces and government control through strengthening the Chinese Government’s role as regulator while reducing the role of government in terms of its control over the financial system, implementation of industrial policies and the role it gives to SOEs.
  • Reassess the Chinese Government’s approach to technology and innovation and the top-down approach to guiding technology choices that, contrary to intentions, serve to distort markets and prevent China from creating an innovative society.
  • Bring China’s investment environment closer to international norms and increase levels of openness to foreign investment by integrating international practices into domestic policies through better engagement with, and leadership in, international standards and regulatory bodies.

For a more detailed summary of the Executive Position Paper, read more at EURObiz Online:
http://www.eurobiz.com.cn/european-chamber-position-paper/


Pictures by Gilbert, text by the EUCCC.
See also Bruno Gensburger, the chair of the Pharmaceutical Working Group, being interviewed by the media (not difficult to guess what was the subject, or?)

Details on Beijing’s action plan on clean air

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

As detailed in my book Toxic Capitalism, the issue of the air pollution in Beijing is serious but also complicated.
What happened during the run-up to the 2008 Olympics is another story; I was deeply involved in following that story, how Beijing was forced to take draconian measures – something that was only possible then and cannot be copied. I plan to write about that in detail one day. I talk about that in seminars I organize.
Car emissions are believed to account for one-third of PM2.5, a major air pollutant, in most congested areas in Beijing. Studies suggest a quarter of the pollutants in the city’s air comes from its surrounding areas.
Contrary to what some people believe abroad, the city government is pretty aware of the dramatic increase in air pollution and is now intensifying efforts to reduce the PM2.5. They have little choice as the population is too aware of the severity of the pollution and has even forced the authorities to start monitoring PM2.5.
See here the main points in the action plan. See the pdf for the full details and the sources (China Daily): 130903 BJpollution

Highlights – Beijing’s action plan on clean air
Five-year plan 2013-2017

  • To reduce PM 2.5 density by 25% or more by 2017 with PM 2.5 density controlled to around 60 micrograms/m3, a 25% drop from 2012 levels.
  • To slash 13 million metric tons of coal consumption over five years (more than 50%) based on 2012 levels; to reduce the proportion of coal used within the city’s total energy mix to below 10%. Coal consumption to be less than 10 million T by 2017.
  • To completely eliminate the use of coal within the Second Ring Road.
  • Vehicles from outside Beijing will be forbidden from entering the Sixth Ring Road unless with permission.
  • To control private car ownership within 6 million by the end of 2017, from more than 5.2 million as of early 2013.
  • Vehicle fuel use to be cut by at least 5% in 2017 from 2012 levels.
  • One million old polluting vehicles to be scrapped from 2013 to 2017.
  • A congestion charge would be levied mainly on vehicles in the downtown area and will be set out in the near future by the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau and Beijing Commission of Transport.
  • Public transportation in central Beijing to account for 52% of all trips in 2017.
  • More than 65% of public vehicles to be clean energy vehicles by 2017.
  • More than 60% of the city to be covered by green space by the end of 2017.
  • Area of Beijing covered by water to increase 1000 hectares from 2013 to 2017.

Do note this is only part of the story. Not mentioned here are a series of other measures, including the improvement of car fuel (gasoline / diesel), e-vehicles, etc. See earlier posts.

Gilbert’s letter in China Daily

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

China Daily edited a bit my post but the result is pretty close:
2 September 2013 – Frustration with smoking ban
By Gilbert Van Kerckhove (China Daily)
Comment on “Health inspectors express frustration with smoking ban” (China Daily, Aug 23)
In the article, health inspectors express frustration with the smoking ban in public places such as restaurants and hotels. If you are a smoker, you can simply ask for an ashtray in a restaurant or hotel. The smoking ban is not yet strictly enforced in facilities managed by Chinese staff.
So if you are a non-smoker and want to avoid secondhand smoke, you have to look for a facility managed by foreigners.
If you have any doubts about this, just visit any restaurant or pub in Sanlitun, an area full of bars and restaurants in Beijing. You won’t find a single smoker in Morel’s Restaurant. But you would be free to smoke in a couple of other well-known bars and restaurants.
The key to banning smoking is imposing the directive with sue seriousness.
Gilbert Van Kerckhove, via e-mail
See: 
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-09/02/content_16936709.htm

Frustration with smoking ban: a different view

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

In a China Daily article, health inspectors express frustration with the smoking ban, for indoor venues such as restaurants and hotels. Well, they are not alone.
As matter of fact, things are very simple right now:
If you are a smoker, head to a Chinese-managed location. You normally can puff away as you like and simply ask for an ash tray.
If you are a non-smoker and want to avoid second hand smoke, head to a foreign-managed location. No smoking is strictly enforced (and so are a zillion other rules).
The reasons are straightforward: health inspectors always target foreign establishments, trying to find any reason to make problems. You won’t see them in a next-door Chinese place. They could care less (why? think about it…).
If you have any doubts, simply go around in Sanlitun (Beijing) and compare. You won’t find any smoker in Morel’s Restaurant. But feel free to do what you like in a couple of other very well known bars and restaurants, I won’t mention them here.
As usual, Chinese officials single out whatever is foreign. Excellent targets to be pestered.
See the China Daily article: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-08/23/content_16915115.htm
“Health inspectors express frustration with smoking ban”, 23 August 2013.
(this comment was also directly sent to China Daily)