The China Business Hub is a service provided by the Confucius Institute at the University of Graz. It supports businesses and start-up founders in establishing initial business links with China and further developing existing contacts.
The focus is on personalised advice, networking and exchange between Austria and China.
Why does the China Business Hub exist?
The journey into a new market often begins with a simple question: Where can I find the right contacts, and how do I take that first step?
Economic and cultural differences can play a significant role, particularly when doing business with China. The China Business Hub aims to provide guidance in this area and facilitate access to contacts and information.
The focus is primarily on specific projects: a business idea, a potential collaboration, the search for partners, or initial considerations regarding market entry.
Expertise on China meets the university
The Confucius Institute at the University of Graz has been focusing on relations between China and Austria for many years. Alongside language and culture, economic exchange is also a key area of focus.
The China Business Hub builds on this connection and creates a space where businesses, start-up founders and international partners can engage in dialogue with one another.
Personal expertise and points of contact
Dr Wan Jie Chen – China expert and Director of the Confucius Institute
A key component of the China Business Hub is personalised consultancy. In Dr Wan Jie Chen, companies and start-up founders have a point of contact with many years’ experience in economic relations between Austria and China.
Dr Wan Jie Chen is Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Graz, as well as an accredited export adviser for China and a certified management consultant. His professional work combines business consultancy with many years’ experience in facilitating exchanges between Austrian and Chinese companies.
As Head of the Confucius Institute, Dr Chen also has an extensive network of contacts within Chinese companies and institutions. These contacts, together with the Confucius Institute’s specialist expertise, form an important foundation for providing consultancy and facilitating economic cooperation.
At the China Business Hub, Dr Chen contributes this knowledge, particularly in relation to issues concerning doing business in China, business contacts, negotiations, finding partners and establishing business relationships.
At the China Business Hub, Dr Chen draws on this expertise, particularly when it comes to matters relating to doing business in China, establishing business contacts, negotiations, finding partners and building economic relationships.
Networking as a starting point
Sustainable partnerships usually develop step by step. That is why the China Business Hub focuses on more than just arranging individual contacts.
We aim to support companies in clearly articulating their objectives, finding suitable contacts and developing long-term prospects from initial discussions.
Academic context and international cooperation
As part of the Confucius Institute and the University of Graz, the China Business Hub is embedded in an international academic environment. The Confucius Institute’s existing partnerships and contacts provide opportunities for engagement with China.