Event Details

It is again time for our special end-of-year event, The World Ahead 2024. For the last two years, deputy editor of The Economist Tom Standage has joined us virtually to share his "Top 10 Forecasts." This year we are delighted that The Economist's China business and finance editor Don Weinland will join us in person to look to the year ahead.


The World Ahead is The Economist's future-gazing annual publication, edited by Tom. This edition will be the 38th, published ahead of a fascinating year in prospect. As countries with a collective population of 4.1bn people prepare to hold elections in 2024 (more than in any previous year), The World Ahead will consider the continuing geopolitical shifts caused by: the war in Ukraine; the war in Israel and Gaza; continued tensions between America and China; growing competition over the rules and resources that underpin the green-energy transition; and the consequences for countries, companies and citizens around the world as they grapple with economic uncertainty and rapid technological change.


On Thursday 14 we will bring to life the content of this year's publication at a festive cocktail for members of EICN Beijing. Please join us for forecasts, fellowship, and good fun.

Please note that this event is limited to senior-level executives and per invitation only. If you are not an existing member of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, but would like to learn how you can attend our events, please contact us.

Agenda

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Registration and Network
Mattie Bekink and Dr Robert Xiao
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Presention and Discussion
Don Weinland and Mattie Bekink
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cocktail Party

Speakers

  • Don Weinland (China Business and Finance Editor at The Economist)

    Don Weinland

    China Business and Finance Editor at The Economist

    Don Weinland joined The Economist as China business and finance editor in 2020. He writes about global Chinese investment and the Chinese banking system, as well as multinational business within China. Don was the Financial Times’ Asia financial correspondent and Beijing correspondent from 2016-20. He has also worked as a journalist in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Phnom Penh. He moved to China in 2003 to study Mandarin and has spent much of his time in Asia since then.

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  • Mattie Bekink (China Director of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network)

    Mattie Bekink

    China Director of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network

    Mattie Bekink is responsible for the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network’s China strategy, including programme development and client engagement across China.

    Ms Bekink has extensive experience in the public, private and policy sectors. Prior to joining The Economist Group, she was the Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in the Netherlands. She also ran an eponymous consulting business, advising businesses, universities and non-profit organisations on China policy, strategy, public affairs, and CSR. Ms Bekink practiced law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, has worked with the US-Asia Law Initiative at NYU Law School and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative China Program, and served in the legal department at General Motors China.

    Ms Bekink has a BA in International Relations from Stanford University and a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center.

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  • Dr Robert Xiao (Director, Beijing of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network)

    Dr Robert Xiao

    Director, Beijing of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network

    Robert Xiao is the Director of the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network (EICN) in Beijing. He is responsible for engaging with top executives in the region and providing insights on economic and policy trends to support their business development in the Chinese market.

    Mr Xiao was previously a PhD Supervisor and Deputy Director of the Impact Finance Hub at Deakin Business School before joining EICN. His research mainly focused on the fields of corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, and economic and financial policy analysis related to the Chinese market. He has authored multiple publications in Financial Times Top 50 Journals and been awarded major research grants jointly by the Australia Academy of Social Sciences and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He also has more than a decade of experience teaching business courses including in Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, and Bachelor of Commerce programmes at leading universities.

    Mr Xiao has a Ph.D. in Finance and B.Com. (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from Monash University.

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