2026 Yangling Demonstration Zone Foreign-Invested Enterprises Cooperation Forum
Our member Dutch Sino Business Promotions (DSBP) is organizing the 2026 Yangling Demonstration Zone Foreign-Invested Enterprises Cooperation Forum on November 9, 2026, at the Jing An Shangri-La in Shanghai, during the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE).
To attract high-quality foreign investment, strengthen international business cooperation, showcase the investment environment of the Yangling Demonstration Zone, and accelerate the development of its Bio-Manufacturing Future Industry Pilot Zone, the Yangling Demonstration Zone will host the 2026 Yangling Demonstration Zone Foreign-Invested Enterprises Cooperation Forum on 9 November 2026, during the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE).
The forum will focus on key sectors including bio-manufacturing, bio-agriculture, biomedicine, horticulture, functional food ingredients, and smart agriculture. It aims to showcase Yangling's industrial strengths and investment opportunities, while facilitating practical cooperation between Chinese and international enterprises in technology transfer, joint R&D, international trade, and project development.
01 Event Information
Date: Monday, 9 November 2026
Time: 09:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Luncheon: 12:00–13:00)
Venue: Magnolia Ballroom 1, 3F, Banquet Centre, Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai
Address: No. 1218 Yan'an Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, China
Language: Chinese and English (Consecutive Interpretation Provided)
02 About the Yangling Demonstration Zone
Established in 1997, the Yangling Agricultural High-tech Industries Demonstration Zone is China's first national-level agricultural high-tech industrial demonstration zone. It is also home to the SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training and the China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair.
Key Strengths and Investment Advantages
Strategic Location: Situated in the Guanzhong Plain of Shaanxi Province, within 100 km of Xi'an, Baoji, and Xi'an Xianyang International Airport.
Strong Research Capabilities: Known as China's Agricultural Science and Technology City, Yangling is home to leading institutions including Northwest A&F University.
Distinctive Administrative Framework: Operates under a province-ministry joint development framework, with extensive administrative and economic management authority.
International Cooperation Platforms: Hosts international agricultural cooperation platforms, supporting the global exchange and commercialization of agricultural technologies.
Looking ahead to 2035, Yangling aims to become a leading demonstration zone for innovative modern agriculture and an important strategic contributor to China's agricultural science and technology development.
03 Forum Highlights
Advancing Future Industries and Bio-Manufacturing
Focusing on the development of Yangling's Bio-Manufacturing Future Industry Pilot Zone, the forum will explore opportunities in bio-manufacturing, bio-agriculture, biomedicine, functional food ingredients, and smart agriculture.
Exploring Investment Opportunities and Market Entry
Through industrial presentations and insights from international business experts, participants will gain a better understanding of Yangling's industrial development plans, international trade platforms, and overseas industrial parks, as well as opportunities for foreign-invested enterprises to establish and expand their operations in China.
Connecting Global Enterprises and Industry Experts
The forum will bring together multinational companies, international business service providers, and industry experts from international markets to exchange insights on market expansion, food industry development, agricultural technology, and cross-border trade.
Facilitating Partnerships and Project Development
A dedicated signing ceremony will showcase cooperation achievements, followed by networking and a luncheon to encourage further dialogue and business partnerships.
04 Featured Speakers
Listed in no particular order. Speaker information is subject to final confirmation.
Keynote Speakers
Event Moderator: Rachel Zhou
Ms. Rachel Zhou currently serves as Partner and General Manager at Dutch Sino Business Promotions (DSBP) Shanghai office, as well as the China Representative of the Netherlands China Business Council (NCBC). She has gained over a decade of experience in China–Netherlands government affairs and international business cooperation through her roles at Swiss International Air Lines’ Shanghai Representative Office, the Commercial Department of the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Shanghai, and the Rotterdam Representative Office in China. She later joined DSBP as a Partner, overseeing its China operations and connecting Chinese and Dutch resources, fostering business partnerships, and facilitating cross-border business projects.
Established in 2006 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Dutch Sino Business Promotions (DSBP) is dedicated to fostering business cooperation between China, the Netherlands and Europe. The company provides international business consultancy, investment promotion, market entry and project development services to governments, businesses and industrial parks. With a network of partners across China, Europe and the Middle East, DSBP facilitates cross-regional business and industrial cooperation.
Geoffrey Bonnel
Head of Advisory in Greater China | ALTIOS
Mr. Geoffrey Bonnel has over 14 years of experience supporting international companies in expanding their businesses across Greater China. He currently leads ALTIOS's Greater China advisory team, helping foreign enterprises establish and grow their operations in China through strategic market research, company setup, regulatory compliance, and international M&A.
Founded in 1991, ALTIOS specializes in international strategy, market entry, financial and tax management, and human resources services. With 40 offices across 25 countries, the company has supported more than 12,000 businesses worldwide.
Keynote Speech Topic: TBC
Linxi Yuan
Senior Associate Professor and PhD Supervisor of the Academy of Life and Natural Sciences, One Health and Environmental Sustainability; Director of the Selenium Innovation Laboratory｜Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Executive Council Member of the International Society for Selenium Research, Chair of the Chinese Young Scientists Section of the International Society for Selenium Research.
Professor Linxi Yuan is a Senior Associate Professor and PhD Supervisor of the Academy of Life and Natural Sciences, One Health and Environmental Sustainability and the director of the Selenium Innovation Laboratory of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. His research focuses on trace elements, particularly selenium, and their interactions with microorganisms and effects on human and plant health. He has published over 120 academic papers and led several national and provincial research projects.
Established in 2006, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is an independent Sino-foreign cooperative university founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool. The university promotes research and innovation through advanced laboratories and interdisciplinary research centres, fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
Keynote Speech Topic: New Biomanufacturing Pathways for Selenium-Enriched Functional Foods
Roundtable Discussion
Moderator: Douglas Dong
Vice President | German-Shanghai Association (DSG)
Mr. Douglas Dong has nearly 40 years of experience in international investment and economic cooperation. He now serves as the Vice President of the German-Shanghai Association (DSG). Mr. Douglas Dong previously served as Deputy Director of the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board and as Chief Representative of its offices in Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. He has also worked with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Economic and Commercial Counsellor's Offices of the Chinese Embassies in Canada and Egypt.
To foster exchange and friendship between Germany and Shanghai, the German-Shanghai Association was officially established in 2016 and registered as a non-profit organization at the court in Wiesbaden, Federal Republic of Germany. The Association is dedicated to facilitating multi-level information exchange, nurturing diverse developmental relationships, and actively promoting people-to-people contact and international mutual understanding. It aims to support a wide range of exchange activities between Germany and Shanghai across various levels and fields.
Sherry Duan
Lead Legal Counsel & External Affairs | McCain Foods China
Ms. Sherry Duan leads legal and external affairs at McCain Foods China, overseeing government relations, foreign direct investment, and strategic support for investment projects. She holds legal qualifications in China and New York State, USA. Prior to joining McCain Foods, she gained extensive experience at international law firms and multinational companies, including Hogan Lovells and Johnson & Johnson Medical, with expertise in FDI, cross-border M&A, regulatory affairs, and government relations.
McCain Foods is a global family-owned company. Today, one in every four French fries consumed worldwide is a McCain product. With manufacturing facilities across five continents, the company distributes its products to more than 160 countries and regions. After nearly 70 years of growth and development, McCain Foods ranked first in the potato products category of the 2022 Global Top 100 Food and Beverage Companies list and has consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 food brands by brand value for several consecutive years.
Peter-Jan Snellink
Marketing & Business Development Director | Big Dutchman China
Mr. Peter-Jan Snellink has extensive experience in business development across Asian markets, key account management, and complex market operations, with a professional background in agricultural projects and industrial equipment sales.
Headquartered in Vechta, Germany, Big Dutchman has more than 80 years of experience in developing and supplying modern poultry and livestock equipment. The company provides integrated hardware and software solutions for the livestock industry, with operations in more than 80 countries worldwide.
Philip Julius Simon
Operations Director | Neudorff Asia Ltd.
Mr. Philip Julius S0G1imon is a German entrepreneur based in Shanghai with 17 years of professional experience in China. He currently serves as Operations Director of Neudorff Asia Ltd. and is the Founder and Managing Partner of Dragon eCommerce. He specialises in China market entry and business expansion, supporting European brands through market analysis, company setup, local team development, eCommerce, and retail distribution. His selected projects and clients include Neudorff, Ritter Sport, Porsche and Evonik.
Founded in 1854, Neudorff is a long-established German family-owned company specialising in environmentally friendly gardening products. Headquartered in Emmerthal, Germany, the company develops and manufactures a wide range of products, including plant protection solutions, pest control products and organic fertilisers. Neudorff focuses on using naturally derived, renewable active ingredients with minimal environmental impact. Since 2021, its production has been climate-neutral, supported by renewable energy generation and resource-efficient practices.
05 Forum Agenda
09:00-09:30: Guest Check-in
09:30-10:00: Welcoming Remarks
10:00-10:50: Keynote Presentations
10:50-11:20: Roundtable Discussion
11:20-11:30: Signing Ceremony
11:30-12:00: Networking and Discussion
12:00-13:00: Networking Luncheon