Organizers: CKGSB, USYD
Date: February 11, 2025
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. (Sydney Time)
Format: In-person
Location: USYD CBD Campus, Level 17, 133 Castlereagh St, Sydney
The economic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region is undergoing significant transformations, driven by advancements in energy technology, shifts in trade policies, and the establishment of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which comprises 15 member countries including China and Australia, represents a major milestone in regional economic integration. This collaborative forum between the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) and the University of Sydney (USYD), aims to delve into these pivotal changes and explore the resulting opportunities for businesses in Australia, China and the wider region.
Both Australia and China are at the forefront of the global energy transition. Australia has made significant strides in increasing its renewable energy capacity, with nearly 40% of its electricity now generated from renewable sources. Key advancements include record installations in rooftop solar and utility-scale storage projects. China, on the other hand, is accelerating its renewable energy efforts, with substantial investments in solar and wind power, aiming to meet its clean energy targets well ahead of schedule.
This energy transition is not only advancing the renewable energy sector but also disrupting and spurring innovation in traditional industries. Sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and transportation are increasingly adopting new energy technologies to improve efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.
The forum will also highlight the evolving trade dynamics in the RCEP region. Recent high-level visits and trade dialogues have paved the way for removing barriers and enhancing economic cooperation. As China, Australia and other RCEP member states navigate their energy transitions, the potential for trade in renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and other innovative sectors is immense.
This forum is a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the transformative trends shaping the future of trade, energy, and economic collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region. By bringing together business leaders, industry experts, and policymakers, we aim to foster meaningful dialogue and actionable insights that will drive strategic decision-making, innovation, and the successful navigation of disruptions in traditional industries.
Professor Steven Maguire is Deputy Dean (Research) at the University of Sydney Business School since January 2024, where he is leading implementation of the research enterprise component of the Business School’s 2023-27 strategy: engagement with industry, government, civil society, and academia to produce excellent research with clear, significant local and global impact.
He is also a Professor of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Business School’s first Fellow of Multidisciplinary Innovation, collaborating with other faculties and multidisciplinary institutes to develop impactful, multidisciplinary research and teaching programs. In 2020, he spearheaded the development of a new, highly multidisciplinary (engaging six faculties/schools) Major in Innovation & Entrepreneurship for undergraduate students across the University of Sydney; and during 2019 – 2023 he led the inaugural Innovation Catalyst project at the University of Sydney Nano Institute, “Engaged Innovation Scholarship for Impact”, in which social scientists are embedded into teams of engineers, natural scientists and biomedical researchers to study innovation ‘in the making’ while actively contributing to it. Prior to 2019, he worked for 20 years at McGill University (Canada).
He publishes regularly in leading journals (e.g. Academy of Management Annals; Academy of Management Journal; Academy of Management Review; Journal of Management Studies; Organization Studies; Strategic Management Journal); is well cited (> 12,000 times according to Google scholar); and has earned substantial research funding with co-investigators (> $25 million) as well as numerous awards. His research focuses on technological innovation and institutional entrepreneurship driven by the emergence of novel risks to human health and the environment, theorizing the role of non-market actors (e.g. NGOs, scientists, government agencies) in shaping the adoption or abandonment of particular technologies. Empirically, he has studied controversial products at the intersection of commercial, scientific, and political struggles, such as pharmaceutical products for treating HIV/AIDS as well as polluting industrial chemicals and greener chemistries. He has particular expertise on risk and its management, serving in an advisory role to the Government of Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan during 2007 – 2011, and working currently on research projects with scientists from Health Canada and Environment & Climate Change Canada. An advocate for engaged, multidisciplinary scholarship, he works closely with researchers from multiple faculties and publishes beyond traditional business school outlets (e.g. ACS Nano; Ambio; Environmental Health Perspectives; Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry; Global Governance; Integrated Environmental Assessment & Management).
In addition to the University of Sydney, he also had success in multidisciplinary leadership roles at McGill University. In 2013 he was a founding member of McGill University’s Innovation Steering Committee, and he served as its Co-Chair during 2015 – 2017. There, he initiated change projects aimed at instilling a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at McGill, including: new Minors in Entrepreneurship for non-Management undergraduate students; revisions to McGill’s intellectual property policy; formalized recognition of innovation and entrepreneurship as important and valid forms of impact when assessing promotion and tenure; and facilitation of access to laboratories for start-ups.
During 2011 – 2017, he served as Founding Director of the Marcel Desautels Institute for Integrated Management at McGill University which, under his leadership, became an important hub of multidisciplinary programming by focusing on sustainability, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. He oversaw the conception, championing, and implementation of a range of novel programming that connects Management to other faculties, including:
Maroun is an Executive Director at Investment NSW and leads a dynamic team of investment attraction and industry development specialists with a mandate to deliver on the NSW Government’s priorities to build a strong economy, attract local and international investment and reinforce NSW’s global position as an attractive place to do business and accelerate investment in priority sectors.
Before joining Investment NSW in 2022, Maroun worked in medical technology for multinationals including Stryker and then Smith+Nephew. In these Senior Executive roles Maroun led teams focused on contract management, strategic domestic and international partnerships and commercial excellence. Prior to MedTech, Maroun spent 15 years in Banking and Finance, again in senior leadership roles in business development, account management and operations across Institutional, Government, Corporate and Business Banking segments.
Maroun holds a Masters of Business Administration from Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
Maroun is an active member of his community including coaching grassroots sport and volunteering in several programs predominantly focused on raising awareness and funding for children with special needs.
Dr. Xiang Bing is the Founding Dean and Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of China Business and Globalization at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB). Under his leadership, CKGSB has evolved from a fledgling school to one of the most influential business schools in China with a global reputation since 2002.
Renowned as a foremost authority on China’s business and economy, Dr. Xiang serves as the first opening keynote speaker at the Harvard College China Forum in 2018 and 2023 and the Penn Wharton China Summit in 2023, the closing keynote speaker at the Columbia China Forum in 2024, the first closing keynote speaker at the Harvard College China Forum in 2024, and the closing keynote speaker at the SCMP China Conference on US-China Relations in New York City in 2019. Additionally, he was the First Co-Chairman for the Ditchley Foundation Annual Forum in 2018. He was also a lunch keynote speaker for the Foreign Policy Association’s Board of Trustees in 2018.
Dr. Xiang has served as an independent board member to several listed companies, including four Fortune Global 500 companies. He was a member of the Global Board of Trustees for United Way Worldwide (US) during 2011-2017.
His research interests include innovations from China, globalization of Chinese companies, China-US relations, economic disruption, social innovation, and the next-generation unicorns.
Phone: +86 10 8518 8858 ext. 3235
E-mail: wli@ckgsb.edu.cn
Professor of Economics, Associate Dean for Asia and Oceania, Director of Case Center and Director of Big Data Economic Research Center, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
PhD, University of Michigan
Areas of Expertise: Corruption, Financial Markets, Macroeconomics, Managerial Incentives and Market Competition, Real Estate, Reform, Taxation, Telecommunications Privatization, Valuation in Emerging Markets
Dr. Li is Professor of Economics, Associate Dean for Asia and Oceania, Director of Case Center, and Director of Big Data Economic Research Center at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB). Before joining CKGSB, Dr. Li was Professor of Business Administration (with tenure) at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia, where he has served on the faculty since 2000. Since 2005, Dr. Li has also served as visiting Professor of Economics on the faculty of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. Before joining Darden faculty, Dr. Li was assistant professor and then associate professor of business administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business from 1994 to 2000. He was also a visiting professor of strategy at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management in 2004. He received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan and his B.Eng. from Shanghai Jiaotong University (China).
An authority on Chinese economy and business, Dr. Li’s main research focus is on economic development, taxation, financial markets, corruption, corporate governance, corporate research and development, entrepreneurship, trade and investment in China. His work has been published in prominent academic journals and books, and some of his research results have also been featured in Foreign Affairs, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and on CNNfn (CNN Money) and Bloomberg TV. Professor Li has extensive consulting experience with multinational firms, Chinese firms, and the World Bank.
Dr. Li has taught Macroeconomics, Global Economies and Markets, Managerial Economics, and Emerging Markets Finance in MBA, Finance MBA, EMBA, and Global EMBA, and Executive Education programs.
Helen Dai started her posting as the Deputy Consul-General (Commercial) and Trade and Investment Commissioner at the Australian Consulate-General in Chengdu in 2024. Helen leads Austrade’s Greater China Health and Technology team and the West China team. In this capacity, Helen is responsible for leading the Austrade’s Post in Chengdu. This post covers south-west China, the country’s fastest growing region. It promotes Australian exports, investment attraction and international education. Helen also has responsibility for leading the Commission’s Health and Technology Team in Greater China. Previously with Austrade, Helen has served in Taipei, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.
Helen has over 16 years of experience working in the Australian Government. This includes working as a foreign investment specialist at the Australian Treasury, and at a Treasury Minister’s office. Helen began her public service career at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). With DFAT she was posted to the Australian Embassy in Jakarta from 2010 to 2013 as Consul.
Justin is the Director Low Carbon and Clean Technology Industries at NSW DCCEEW. I have carriage of our Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, which is supporting NSW-based climate technology innovation and new or upscaled domestic manufacturing of low carbon products and renewable energy components. I am also currently heading up our Emissions Intensity Reduction team, which is focussed on helping high-emitting industries in NSW reduce their facility-level emissions.
Michael leads Austrade’s Asia Investment team focused on the promotion, attraction and facilitation of productive FDI into Australia’s economy with a key focus on net zero and economic security. He has extensive experience advising a diverse range of global investors and Australian exporters. Michael’s experience includes roles as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in Bangkok, leading Austrade’s Infrastructure and Energy global teams, as Trade Commissioner in Jakarta, as well as in the NSW Premier’s Office. Michael is a former diplomat and commercial lawyer.
Wei Li is a Senior Lecturer in International Business at the University of Sydney Business School and the Program Director for the Master of International Business. Bringing a wealth of expertise in international business and cross-border economic relationships. Wei Li provides strategic leadership and guidance to future leaders in global commerce.
David Soldani joined Rakuten Mobile in 2021. In his role as Senior Vice President Innovation and Advanced Research he leads innovation and advanced research into improving the infrastructure of next-generation telco platforms and make 6G cloud native and secure by design, through bridging the physical and and cyber worlds to enable a paradigm shift from “connected people and things” to “connected intelligence”.
Prior to joining Rakuten Mobile, Soldani was Chief Technology and Cyber Security Officer (CTSO) within ASIA Pacific Region at Huawei; Head of 5G Technology, e2e, Global, at Nokia; and Head of Central Research Institute (CRI) and VP Strategic Research and Innovation in Europe, at Huawei European Research Centre (ERC). He also held prestigious academic positions, currently serving as Adjunct Professor with the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Previous postings include Visiting Professor with the University of Surrey, U.K., and Industry Professor with The University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Soldani serves as advisory board member for 6G World.
For more than 18 years, Helen has worked with Chinese investors in international markets and with western businesses looking to invest and partner with Chinese businesses. She is experienced in working with government officials from Chinese and western government bodies, and has considerable knowledge on how to bring the two very different business communities together. Helen has facilitated a number of high-profile bank licensing applications, supporting incoming foreign banks to work with KPMG’s specialists in the fields of Authorised Deposit-taking institution (ADI) licenses and Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). She has supported major state owned and privately owned investors from China in M&A transactions, and is regarded as one of the most experienced professionals in working with Chinese investors in Australia.
Helen joined KPMG in the UK in 2004 where she focused on UK-China investment flows, strategy development for the UK China Practice, business development and client relationship management. She transferred to KPMG Sydney in 2012, and focused on inbound Chinese investors and Chinese companies operating in Australia. She became KPMG Australia’s first Chinese-background partner in 2015.
In 2022, Helen became the President of the NSW branch of Australian Chinese Business Council, and she is an active presenter at China business forums and events, and talking to the media about Chinese investment in Australia.
Ning Chen is the CEO Goldwind Australia. Goldwind Australia is the subsidiary of Goldwind, a leader in clean energy and wind turbine manufacturer. Goldwind delivers comprehensive renewable energy solutions to the Australian and New Zealand markets, including investment, planning, design, construction, operational and maintenance services.
10-minute Presentation by
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10-minute Presentation by
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