Founding Convention of the Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce in Japan

On Monday 16 December 2019, the Chamber held its founding convention and founding dinner at the House of Councillors Members' Office Building in Nagatacho, Tokyo, welcoming about 200 guests.

Background

China is Japan's largest trading partner. In 2019 the Chinese government published its development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one of the world's largest metropolitan development projects, with Shenzhen at its core. Against this background, and at the proposal and with the support of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, the Chamber spent a year preparing and was incorporated as a general incorporated association on 30 September 2019. It aims to serve as a platform for economic and cultural exchange, bridging differences in business practices, culture and law and connecting key figures across many fields.

Overview

• Founding convention: 16:00–17:00, Room 109, B1F, House of Councillors Members' Office Building
• Founding dinner: 17:00–19:00, B1F dining hall, same building

Leadership and guests

• Huang Shi, who has long worked for Japan-China cultural and economic exchange, became President and pledged to further exchange between Japan and China, starting with Shenzhen
• Guest speakers: Tian Changhao, Chief Representative of the Shenzhen Municipal Government in Japan; Shinpei Matsushita, Member of the House of Councillors and chair of the LDP's Finance Division; Ma Yongzhi, Chairman of the Shenzhen Overseas Exchange Association; and actress Yoko Shimada
• Zhao Wenfa, Chairman of Aoxing Group, spoke on behalf of Shenzhen entrepreneurs

Response and next steps

At the dinner, guests exchanged business cards and built business connections. The convention was covered by CCTV and other Chinese media, which noted that the Chamber was the first of its kind to have Japanese nationals in senior positions and Japanese and Chinese staff working side by side. The Chamber also presented its concept for PANDA, a Japan-China business exchange platform, which it will develop into concrete services.