American Chamber of Commerce in China hosts 2019 Technology and Innovation Summit

Beijing, September 19 – More than 200 guests joined the second Technology and Innovation Summit today as over 30 speakers – corporate executives, tech entrepreneurs, and leading experts – discussed tangible solutions for member companies of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) looking to navigate through the uncertainties of industrial upgrading and digital transformation in China.

Launched in 2018 under AmCham China's Technology and Innovation Initiative, the Technology and Innovation Summit is one of the Chamber's nine annual Signature Events. The full-day conference is an invaluable platform for corporations to exchange cross-sector best practices and innovative solutions for the business application of disruptive technologies in various industries and corporate functions.

Building on the success of last year's event, the 2019 Summit engaged speakers and attendees from the perspectives of both corporates and individuals, providing more strategic thinking and encouraging an innovative mindset. More specifically, the Summit discussions covered three industries – digital healthcare, property tech & future workspace, and smart manufacturing – as well as four disruptive technologies – AI and big data, internet of things, cloud computing, and blockchain.

Much of the focus in recent months on the US business community in China has centered on the uncertain trade relationship between the world's two largest economies, but AmCham China President Alan Beebe made it clear that it's very much “business as usual” for the Chamber's membership. “Now is the perfect time to talk about technology and innovation,” Beebe said. “These issues won't stop because of the US-China trade dispute. We need to stay focused on business and think about how to transform both our businesses and ourselves in order to win in the China marketplace.”

Microsoft China CEO Alain Crozier, who delivered the Summit's opening keynote, stressed the importance of connectivity in a company's digital transformation, saying, “The world runs on software, but everything needs to be connected for the whole network to work. The opportunities are endless. But technology won't get you anywhere if you don't integrate it and make it a central part of your business transformation.”

Meanwhile, Peter Xu, CEO of incubator hub Plug and Play China, focused on some of the newer market players, who are looking to disrupt existing structures and industries. “Today, there are startups that are going to be the game changers,” Xu said. “For example, if you look at the chipset innovation heatmap in China, you'll see big names, of course. But there are startups that will be coming up in the next two years that will change the industry.”

With insights offered for both individuals and their companies, attendees left empowered and inspired to help lead successful digital transformations in their own lives and in the workplace. AmCham China would like to thank the great support of its Digital Circle members Microsoft, Intel, PwC, Merck, Plug and Play China, Mars, Honeywell, and AcceleratingBiz, plus additional Summit partners Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Terminus, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, China-US Business Summit, angelhack, Tsinghua SEM X-elerator,  Forrester, Networking Matters, China-Britain Business Council, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, ladies who tech, Caixin Global, China Money Network, and Geekpark.

About AmCham China

The American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose membership comprises more than 3,300 individuals from 900 companies operating across China. The chamber's nationwide mission is to help American companies succeed in China through advocacy, information, networking and business support services. AmCham China is the only officially recognized chamber of commerce representing American business in mainland China. With offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang, and Wuhan, AmCham China has more than 50 working groups, and holds more than 250 events each year. Visit our website for more information. 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Yona Yang

Email: yyang@amchamchina.org

Tel: (+8610) 8519-0831