Event Details

China and the world are in the midst of an energy transition. Global fossil fuel producers are in ongoing conversations with renewables producers as an increasing number of businesses are participating in the climate conversation. As if the climate crisis were not enough, though, the war in Ukraine has thrust the question of powering the future squarely into the spotlight. As China moves towards peak emissions in 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, many stakeholders are engaged. Even with the right intentions, the power shortages and price shocks of late 2021 illustrate that the process may not always be smooth. The discussions at the recently concluded lianghui suggest that China will downplay its long-term goals for carbon emissions and energy saving as policymakers immediately prioritise energy and supply chain security. Security has become a global buzzword as Russia's invasion of Ukraine revived a conversation about energy security and caused a tremendous surge in the price of Brent crude oil (and other commodities). Join us to consider the implications of the current crisis for the global climate change agenda, what the future mix of energy sources will be for China and the world, and how we will get there.

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.

Speakers

  • Vijay Vaitheeswaran (Global Energy & Climate Innovation Editor at The Economist)

    Vijay Vaitheeswaran

    Global Energy & Climate Innovation Editor at The Economist

    Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran is the new Global energy & climate innovation editor, covering the energy and utility industries, the clean energy transition, climate innovations and low carbon technologies. He leads our coverage of America’s climate and green infrastructure efforts, and keeps a watchful eye on ESG trends and corporate pledges of net-zero emissions for signs of promise as well as greenwashing.

    An award-winning senior journalist, he previously served as both US Business Editor and China Business Editor. He also serves as chairman of The Economist Innovation Summit, a provocative series of global conferences on innovation.

    He joined the editorial staff in 1992 as its London-based Latin America correspondent, and opened the magazine’s first regional bureau in Mexico City. From 1998 to 2006, he covered the politics, economics, business and technology of energy and the environment. From 2007 to 2011 his portfolio encompassed innovation, global health, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

    His latest book, published by Harper Collins, is “Need, Speed and Greed: How the New Rules of Innovation Can Transform Businesses, Propel Nations to Greatness, and Tame the World’s Most Wicked Problems”. Amazon named it a Book of the Month and Kirkus Reviews called it “the perfect primer for the postindustrial age.” In reviewing the book, the Financial Times declared that “Vaitheeswaran is a writer to whom it is worth paying attention.” It has been translated into Chinese and several other languages. His second book, “ZOOM: The Global Race to Fuel the Car of the Future,” co-authored with Iain Carson, was named a Book of the Year by the Financial Times.

    Vijay is a life member at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is an advisor on sustainability and innovation to the World Economic Forum at Davos, and his commentaries have appeared on NPR and the BBC, in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. He has addressed groups ranging from the US National Governors’ Association and the UN General Assembly to the Technology, Entertainment & Design (TED), Aspen Ideas and AAAS conferences.

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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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  • Fernando Vallina (Chairman, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co., Ltd.)

    Fernando Vallina

    Chairman, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

    Born in Spain, Fernando Vallina is a graduate of the Autonomous University of Madrid, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Instituto de Empresa (IE), Spain.

    Mr. Vallina joined ExxonMobil Chemical in 1987. He has held a wide range of management positions in sales, marketing, technology, planning and supply chain in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

    Mr. Vallina has lived and worked in China for over eight years, in two separate assignments. He was Global Logistics and Distribution manager, ExxonMobil Chemical Company before assuming the position of Chairman, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co., Ltd. on March 1, 2017.

    Fernando is currently a Vice-Chair of the Board of the Association of International Chemical Manufacturers (AICM), and serves on the Executive Board of the Multinational Companies’ Committee of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, and the Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (Beijing). He co-chairs the Women Empowerment Council, focusing on gender equality and diversity matters, and is also a Global Investment Advisor of Guangdong.

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  • William Fu (China Country President and Chief Representative at Anglo American)

    William Fu

    China Country President and Chief Representative at Anglo American

    William is the China Country President and Chief Representative of Anglo American. He supervises the Group’s operations in China.

    William has over 3 decades’ experience in mining and resources industries including both MNCs and SOEs in China and APAC region.

    Before the incorporation of Anglo American Resources Trading (China) Co. Ltd. in late 2017, William served Anglo American as the Chief Representative of the Beijing Representative Office. Prior to joining Anglo American in September 2013 as Group Manager, China International Procurement Office. William also worked for BHP in various senior management roles in Sales&Marketing, Supply Chain and Business Development in both China and Australia.

    William graduated from Beijing Science and Technology University in Minerals Processing Engineering and he also holds a MBA degree from Melbourne University.

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  • William Zhao (China Country Chair of TotalEnergies SE; Managing Director of TotalEnergies E&P China)

    William Zhao

    China Country Chair of TotalEnergies SE; Managing Director of TotalEnergies E&P China

    A graduate of Columbia University, William Zhao joined TotalEnergies as its China Country Chair. He is also the Managing director of TotalEnergies E&P China and is leading gas, renewables and power development in China. Before joining TotalEnergies, he has held various positions with both multinational companies and start-ups in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Africa and United States. Between 1996 and 2000, William Zhao served as Planning Manager for Hewlett-Packard. Between 2000 and 2002, he served as Product Managers for two successful technology start-ups in United States. Between 2003 and 2004, he served as advisor to United Nations in Africa. Between 2005 and 2008, he served as Commercial Manager for Dubai Energy. Between 2008 and 2009, he served as Managing Director of an energy investment company based out of London and Dubai. He subsequently joined SABIC as its Global Strategy Director with both strategy and business development responsibilities in 2010. Between 2017 and 2018, he served as Managing Director of ZvK Prospero GmbH in Germany.

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