The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19, starting from a central Chinese city Wuhan) is devastating and China is at the frontline of this severe battle. Our world is a global village and we are all closely connected. Here at Cambridge, we think of the millions of people in Wuhan and in more than a dozen other locked-down cities. It reminds us of the Derbyshire village Eyam taking steps to quarantine themselves and keep the plague from spreading in the 1660s.

Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the outbreak started, is a major transit hub with a population of about 11 million people and has been put on lockdown since 23 Jan, followed by another 14 major cities in the region locked down. Nearly all festival celebrations have been cancelled and attractions closed across China, domestic and international travels have been discouraged, and all Chinese tour groups headed overseas have been suspended since 27 Jan. Encountering this epidemic, all 31 Chinese Provinces have announced “Grade 1 public health emergency”. China is doing everything it could to contain the outbreak.

By 24:00 of 25 Feb 2020 (Beijing time), COVID-19 has claimed 2715 lives among 78064 confirmed cases, with another 2491 suspected cases and 79108 people under medical observation in mainland China alone (Source: National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China. Please visit http://www.nhc.gov.cn for latest updates).

China is facing a massive shortage of protective masks & suits and medical equipment. Cambridge China Centre & Cambridge Chinese Community Centre CALL FOR all organisations and individuals for urgent donations to help the hardest-hit regions, Wuhan and the other quarantined cities in Hubei Province.

Cambridge stands with Wuhan and China! Your support is needed!

1. Medical Supplies in Urgent Need

2. We are raising fund to help the millions of people in Wuhan and other locked-down cities in Hubei Province China.

We work directly with hospitals in Hubei Provinces. 50% the fund raised will be designated to purchase protective supplies and medical equipment for Wuhan and the other 14 quarantined cities; and the other 50% of the money will be designated to support families of the medical and nursing personnel who lost their lives in fighting this devastating plague.

Cambridge stands with Wuhan and China! We are calling for your involvement and support!

Click the link to support

https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cambridgestandswithwuhan

Background of the novel Coronavirus

The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19, starting from a central Chinese city Wuhan) which can cause severe pneumonia, has arisen rapid global response.

On the 30 Jan 2020, The World Health Organization declared that the coronavirus epidemic in China now constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. “The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “the concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems”.

By 24:00 of 19 Feb 2020 (Beijing time), COVID-19 has claimed 2118 lives among 74576 confirmed cases, with another 4922 suspected cases and 126363 people under medical observation in mainland China alone (Source: National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China. Please visit http://www.nhc.gov.cn for latest updates).

Tedros said. “We must remember that these are people, not numbers”.

Click the link to support

https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cambridgestandswithwuhan

Business Weekly and Cambridge China Centre have once again joined forces and announce the 2nd annual presentation of the UK|China Business Award at the 30th Business Weekly Awards.

Two-way trade between Cambridge and China has reached unprecedented levels as a bridge of trust is built between the territories on solid and lasting foundations. To mark this significantly growing and increasingly dynamic trade profile, the award recognises the company regarded by Cambridge China Centre and Business Weekly as the most effective ambassador for UK|China trade and trust over the last 12 months. The aim of the award is to recognise and highlight recent success stories and to encourage further UK|China relationships.

Last year’s Business Weekly Awards ceremony consisted of 15 Award Categories and over 300 business heads and R&D leaders, recognising innovation, business success and social contribution. The inaugural award UK|China business award was won by Abcam.

The UK|China Business Award will be presented during the Business Weekly Awards dinner at Queens’ College, Cambridge on Wednesday the 25th March 2020. Companies are encouraged to apply online through Business Weekly.

Yvonne Chien of Abcam (centre) receives the 2019 UK|China Business Award from Jinzhao Li (right) who heads up the Cambridge China Centre. (Photo Credit: Alan Bennett, Media Imaging Solutions).

Post Awards Venture Capital Pitch Event

Carrying on from the awards ceremony, Cambridge China Centre will curate an exclusive venture-capital pitch event with a carefully selected panel of Chinese investors on the 26th of March 2020 at the Bradfield Centre.

Innovative UK entrepreneurs and companies interested in taking advantage of this opportunity can learn more on our Pitch Event page.

Find out more information about the 30th Business Weekly Awards, the UK|China Business Award, or the pitch session on the 26th of March, please contact enquiry@cambridgechinacentre.org.

Cambridge has seen an enormous interest in UK|China investments and business deals. The innovative technology generated in the Cambridge Cluster and the possibilities of the Chinese Market can be a powerful combination.

To help connect Chinese investors with emerging and innovative Cambridge and UK-based businesses, and to bring recognition to celebrate Cambridge China Centre’s role as a judge for the Business Weekly UK|China Business Award, Cambridge China Centre is curating an exclusive venture-capital pitch event with a carefully selected panel of Chinese investors in Cambridge on the 26th of March 2020.

Pitching Slots

Carrying on from the Business Weekly Awards, the Pitch Session on the 26 March 2020. The Chinese investors are particularly interested in talking to emerging BioTech, IoT, AI and AgriTech companies. The Cambridge China Centre would like to hear from Cambridge & UK-based Seed+ to Pre-A round technology companies interested in the exclusive opportunity to pitch their businesses to Chinese Investors.

Designed as an exclusive event, there are only 14 pitching slots available. To apply for a FREE pitching slot, please fill in the Registration Form and send to enquiry@cambridgechinacentre.org by the 16 March 2020. Applicants will be notified of their status shortly thereafter.

Tech companies who would like Cambridge China Centre to help with further facilitation and 1:1 meetings with the Chinese investors will sign a Letter of Engagement. Please email Cambridge China Centre for more details. At all stages, Cambridge China Centre will be there to offer our experienced support as local innovators look to the China market.

Audience Seating

There are a limited number of seats available for those that want to observe but are not pitching to investors. We highly recommend reserving your seat in advance.

Join us in April for a workshop on WeChat. Designed for businesses, topics will include:
Marketing through WeChat;
Making and organising professional contacts & lists of customers;
Transferring funds between the UK and China;
WeChat Pay (mobile payments).

Sample from the Cambridge China Centre WeChat marketing broadcasts.

Background Information: WeChat and WeChat Pay

WeChat is the most popular application for communicating with professional contacts, customers and friends. Beginning as a messaging app (like WhatsApp), WeChat expanded to for allow Chinese shoppers to make payments, share and redeem coupons, and receive newsletters/catalogues all in one place – making shopping as easy as chatting with friends. Available as individual or business accounts, merchants can use it to send newsletters and host blogs.

Within the WeChat functions, is WeChat Pay, an electronic wallet that allows users to make mobile payments by scanning a QR code. In China, it is one of the most convenient ways to make payments, order a taxi or food, pay bills and send or receive funds. According to Business Insider, more than 900 million people use WeChat Pay on a monthly-basis. According to Business Insider, no fewer than 900 million people use WeChat Pay on a monthly-basis (Apple Pay has 127 monthly million users). The iResearch Consulting Group estimates that WeChat commands 40% of the market in China, second only to for Alipay’s 54%.

• 1.08 billion monthly active WeChat users (Q3 2018)
• One billion daily active users (Jan 2019)
• WeChat the fifth most-used app in the world

Making and Receiving Payments with WeChat Pay

Through the mini-programs, vendors can use WeChat Pay to receive and make payments to suppliers in China. Transaction methods include:

• Scanning the merchant QR code (Quick Pay) – Customers scan the merchant’s QR code on the device provided at the store, and directly transfer money from their WeChat Wallet to the merchant’s account.
• Merchant can scan the WeChat QR code on the customers mobile phone.
• Online options include the Native and Web-based In-App Payments.

Book your place!

Date & Time: April 2020
Location: Cambridge China Centre, 1a Sheraton House, Castle Hill, Cambridge, CB3 0AX.
Contact: enquiries@cambridgechinacentre.org.

Members of the Cambridge China Centre, please remember to log-in to take advantage of your discount.