01 · Discover China Executive Learning Missions
Purposeful visits for entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and organisations who want to understand China up close. Not a tour, but a programme built around the companies, the people and the developments that matter for your sector.
What a mission includes
At the companies shaping Chinese industry today: from AI and robotics to electric mobility, energy and e-commerce. Often behind the scenes, where ordinary visitors do not get.
The difference between a tour and a mission is who is at the table. Through Jun Jiang's network you meet business leaders, entrepreneurs and the policymakers of cities and innovation zones.
Every city is chosen for what it shows. Beforehand every participant receives briefings, films and presentations on each city and company; on the ground we explain what you are seeing.
The programme is put together once we know who is travelling, around your sector and your questions. A mobility group gets a different week from a retail or healthcare group.
Case study Etion × China Connect
Beyond books and media narratives: through visits to the front line of Chinese industry and high-level conversations, build a more realistic and nuanced picture of contemporary China. And make concrete contacts with Chinese companies.
Each city shows a different Chinese growth model. Together, in one week, they give a picture no single city can: the consumer, the entrepreneur and the government as investor.
11–12.10 Shanghai
Where Chinese consumers discover, compare and buy online, and where AI companies incubate together. With a bridge to Antwerp through the Shanghai Diamond Exchange.
In the programme Xiaohongshu (RED), Dewu (POIZON), Hema, Model Space, Shanghai Diamond Exchange
13–14.10 Hangzhou
The city of private entrepreneurs: Alibaba, the Geely car group and the new generation of robotics and AI companies known as the 'Six Little Dragons'.
In the programme Alibaba, Geely, Unitree, Deep Robotics, BrainCo, Rokid
15–16.10 Hefei
The city that invested in its own industry, with a university (USTC) as the engine. This is also where the China–Belgium business matchmaking took place.
In the programme iFlytek, NIO, JAC, Sungrow, BOE, USTC Silicon Valley
Closing on 17 October in Beijing with business meetings, return flight on 18 October. Companies as listed in the mission programme; visits could still change on the ground.
The three Cs, chaos, communism and control, can be replaced by three new ones: capitalism, culture and competitiveness.
I left Belgium with a few stereotypes about China: chaos in the streets, a communist mindset and government control over everything. Shanghai quickly disproved that: a calm, clean, yet vibrant city. Hangzhou showed an innovation-driven mindset.
They went all out, not only to spoil us but to show us how to collaborate in practice.
China is overwhelming in its scale and speed, without ever feeling stifling. Our interactions with the authorities were excellent. What stays with me most is the openness, intelligence and warmth of the people. I'll be back. With China Connect.
Every participant received a private mission site beforehand with films and presentations on each city and company. They are now all available among the insights.
Where participants have concrete interest, we follow up with introductions and further meetings. We only publish business results with the consent of the companies involved.
Earlier in 2026 03.2026
Twenty-three entrepreneurs. Xiaomi's car plant, WeRide, Xpeng, BYD, DJI, CATL, Huawei, UBTech, Dobot and Jackery, and a drone show put on by Nanshan district.
Watch the film of the mission→Formats
± 1 week
Fully tailored for member organisations, federations, knowledge institutions and companies. Your members, your sector, your goals. The two Etion missions of 2026 are examples of this format.
Discuss your China mission→± 1 week
For entrepreneurs, investors and executives who do not travel through an organisation. Join the interest list with the cities, sectors and period that suit you. Once there is a group, we put the programme together.
Join the interest list→2 weeks
For those who want to know China more broadly: a few cities combined with old towns, mountain lakes, monasteries and minority cultures. We keep a waiting list for these too.
Join the waiting list→For an organisation, federation, company or group of business leaders. Tell us your sector, your goals and your timing; you get a first programme idea and a realistic budget range.
Discuss your China mission→Access
Interest list
Pick cities, sectors and a period. As soon as a group comes together that matches your choice, you receive the programme first. Signing up commits you to nothing.
Also possible · 2 weeks
Two weeks that combine a few cities with culture and nature. First proposal: from Shanghai and Hangzhou to Yunnan, via Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Lugu Lake to Shangri-La on the Tibetan plateau. Spring or autumn 2027.
Day 3 Hangzhou · West Lake
Day 5 Kunming · Stone Forest
Day 6 Dali · Bai tie-dye in Xizhou
Day 7 Lijiang old town
Day 8 Lugu Lake
Day 13 Songzanlin Monastery
Illustrative image · 14 days · 13 nights · 7 destinations · 4 UNESCO sites
When
Practical
Belgians can travel to China visa-free for up to 30 days, groups included. Under the current announcement this runs until 31 December 2026. For trips in 2027 we confirm the rule at booking.
A direct flight from Brussels with a Chinese carrier takes around nine and a half hours. From ten travellers we book through the group desk.
Not in taxis or at markets. Alipay and WeChat Pay do accept foreign cards; we set up both for every participant before departure.
A roaming eSIM bypasses the blocks; a local Chinese subscription does not. Install a VPN before you leave, not after you land.
From a handful of executives to around thirty participants. Larger groups split into two sub-groups on mirrored time slots, so every visit stays personal.
It depends on programme, group size and level. You get a realistic range in the first conversation, not after three meetings.
Why China Connect?
In-depth knowledge of both Chinese and European business culture and economic environment. We know how each side thinks, decides and works together.
Access to relevant companies, sectors, organisations and decision-makers, in China and in Europe. Built over almost forty years, not at a single trade fair.
Not only arranging meetings, but guiding both parties towards concrete business opportunities and long-term cooperation.
Executive Learning Missions
For an organisation, federation, company or group of business leaders. Tell us your sector, your goals and your timing; you get a first programme idea and a realistic budget range.