[POSTPONED] 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.
Event Moderator
Rachel Zhou
Partner-Director China | DSBP International;
Economic Advisor | Yangling Demonstration Zone
Ms. Rachel Zhou, Partner-director China DSBP and Chief Representative China of Netherlands-China Business Council (NCBC). With over 15 years of deep experience in China-Europe government affairs and international business cooperation, she has previously held positions at the Shanghai Representative Office of Swiss International Air Lines, the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Shanghai and Rotterdam Commercial Representative Office in Shanghai. Leveraging a robust network across both government and corporate sectors, she has led her team to successfully facilitate a series of China-Europe industrial cooperation and projects in key sectors, including sustainable environmental protection, facility agriculture, chemical logistics, and high-end port manufacturing.
Established in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 2006, DSBP currently has branch offices in both Shanghai and Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The company is dedicated to promoting pragmatic government-business cooperation among China, Europe, and the Middle East. Leveraging its extensive network across these three regions, DSBP provides comprehensive services—including international business consulting, market entry and expansion strategies, investment promotion, event organization and planning, and project matchmaking—for government agencies, enterprises, and industry organizations, effectively empowering cross-regional industrial synergy and the implementation of commercial projects.
Keynote Speakers
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 in China.
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: Landing & Scaling Agri-Bio in China——How ALTIOS helps foreign enterprises enter, select a site and operate in the Yangling Demonstration Zone
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 XJTLU. His research focuses on trace elements, particularly selenium.
Established in 2006, XJTLU 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
Philip Julius Simon
Operations Director | Neudorff Asia Ltd.
Mr. Philip Julius Simon is a German entrepreneur based in Shanghai with 17 years of work experience in China, focusing on market entry and business expansion for European companies. He currently serves as the Operations Director for Asia at Neudorff. Concurrently, he co-founded and manages Dragon eCommerce.
Founded in 1854, Neudorff is a long-established German family-owned company specialising in environmentally friendly gardening products. Since 2021, its production has been climate-neutral, supported by renewable energy generation and resource-efficient practices.
Keynote Speech Topic: Bio-agriculture Innovation and Cooperation Insights
Roundtable Discussion
Moderator: Douglas Dong
Vice President | German-Shanghai Association (DSG); Senior International Investment Expert
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).
The German-Shanghai Association was officially established in 2016 and registered as a non-profit organization Germany. The Association is dedicated to supporting 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. Holding Chinese lawyer qualification and New York State Bar license, she has previously worked at top-tier international law firms such as Hogan Lovells and renowned multinational corporations like Johnson & Johnson Medical, gaining profound experience in legal practice & government-corporate collaboration.
McCain Foods is a global family-owned company. 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.
Kim Steen
Commercial Director | Benelux Chamber of Commerce East China – Shanghai
Mr. Kim Steen currently serves as Commercial Director at the Benelux Chamber of Commerce East China – Shanghai, responsible for commercial and marketing strategy, membership and sponsorship development. With both an International Business background and business exchange program at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), he gained a broad global perspective and a solid academic foundation in business.
The Benelux Chamber of Commerce is the Benelux business platform in China. Since its establishment in 2001, the Benelux Chamber has been growing at a steady pace. It currently has 3 chapters: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou (Pearl River Delta), with over 350 members.
Peter-Jan Snellink
Marketing Director & Business Development | 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.
05 Forum Agenda
Monday, 9 November 2026
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