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stars China alumni study tour to Shenzhen and Guangzhou 2025

Breaking Traditions – Learning from Global Champions, Unicorns, Start-ups

29 June - 2 July 2025

Shenzhen, Futian Shangri-La

Objectives

  • Get on-the-ground insights in Shenzhen and Guangzhou – China’s innovation centers – through visits of global high-tech champions, unicorns and start-ups.
  • Understand the state of the Chinese economy and the opportunities for foreign business.
  • Act as a dialogue forum between China and the world
  • Background Information: Link

Sunday, 29 June 2025 - Shenzhen
15:30 Welcome Coffee
  • Shangri-La
16:30 Welcome Address
  • Toni SCHOENENBERGER  Founder and Executive Chairman, stars Foundation, Weinfelden, Switzerland
  • Representative of Government of Shenzhen  
  • Sichuan Room Shangri-La, 3rd Floor
17:00 China and the World: De-risking, De-coupling, Re-connecting
  • James CHANG  Managing Partner of Greater Bay Area, PwC China; Executive Vice President of Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, Qianhai, China
  • Virginia CHEUNG  Director for China and Drucker Relationships, Peter F. Drucker School; former Associate Researcher, Shenzhen University; stars Alumna, Shenzhen, China
  • HUANG Jing  Professor and Director, Institute of the US and Pacific Studies, Shanghai International Studies University (SISU); Member, stars Scientific Board, Shanghai, China
  • Klaus ZENKEL  General Manager, Imedco Technology; Member of the Board, EU Chamber South China; VP, Swiss Chamber South China, Shenzhen, China
  • Moderator:  
  • Mark DITTLI  Co-Founder and Financial Journalist, The Market, Zurich, Switzerland
Panel Discussion
18:30 Cocktails and Dinner hosted by PwC China
  • Jiangsu Room Shangri-La, 3rd Floor
Monday, 30 June 2025 - Shenzhen - Global Champions
07:00 Individual Breakfast
  • Shangri-La
08:45 Departure
  • Lobby
09:30 Company Visit: Sensetime (www.sensetime.com)
  • Headquarter
Sensetime Corporate Tour
Keynote Session: AI Development & Innovation
12:00 Lunch Buffet
  • Shenzhen Bay Marriott Hotel 4th Floor Wanhuixuan Restaurant
13:30 Departure to BYD
15:00 Company Visit: BYD (www.byd.com)
  • Headquarter
BYD Showroom
3 Main Lab
Meeting with Top Management
18:00 Dinner hosted by BYD
19:30 Depart. to Futian Shangri-La
20:30 Arrival at Futian Shangri-La
  • Shangri-La
Tuesday, 1 July 2025 - Guangzhou - Unicorns
06:00 Individual Breakfast at Hotel and/or take away boxes on bus
  • Shangri-La
06:30 Departure for Guangzhou
  • Lobby
Guest: Mandy LIN Director China, Greater Zurich Area, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Lobby
09:00 Company Visit: WeRide (www.weride.ai)
  • WeRide Representatives  
  • Headquarter
09:00 Group 1 minibus test ride; Group 2 company visit
09:20 Group 2 minibus test ride; Group 1 company visit
09:40 Remote monitoring system demo
10:00 WeRide Presentation
10:40 Open discussion
11:00 Departure
12:00 Lunch
  • Shangri-La Guangzhou, 3rd Floor
Welcome Speeches
  • Markus THÜR  Consul General, Consulate General of Switzerland, Guangzhou, China
  • Mandy LIN  Director China, Greater Zurich Area, Zurich, Switzerland
14:30 Company Visit: Ehang (www.ehang.com)
  • Ehang Representatives  
  • Headquarter
16:00 Departure for Shenzhen
18:00 Arrival at Futian Shangri-La
  • Shangri-La
19:00 Dinner
  • Jiangsu Room Shangri-La, 3rd Floor
Wednesday, 2 July 2025 - Shenzhen - Start-ups / Spinn-offs
07:00 Individual Breakfast
  • Shangri-La
09:00 Departure for SUSTech
  • Lobby
09:30 Visit of SUSTech (www.sustech.edu.cn/en)
  • Representatives of the Southern University of Science and Technology  
  • SUSTech Campus
Introduction
Insights from the Institute of Risk Analysis, Prediction and Management Risks-X, jointly founded with ETHZ
  • Ke WU  Research Associate Professor, SUSTech Southern University of Science and Technology; President, stars Shenzhen alumni chapter, Shenzhen, China
Q&A
Tour of Campus
Lunch with Faculty and Students, hosted by SUSTech
13:00 Presentation and Q&A of Spinn-off 1: Roumai Medical (www.roumaimed.com)
  • Shiyu CHENG  Founder and CEO, Roumai Medical, Shenzhen, China
  • Moderator:  
  • Ke WU  Research Associate Professor, SUSTech Southern University of Science and Technology; President, stars Shenzhen alumni chapter, Shenzhen, China
13:45 Presentation and Q&A of Spinn-off 2: DeCarbon
  • XU Jiyun  CEO, Co-founder, DeCarbon, Shenzhen, China
  • Moderator:  
  • Ke WU  Research Associate Professor, SUSTech Southern University of Science and Technology; President, stars Shenzhen alumni chapter, Shenzhen, China
14:30 Networking Coffee
15:00 Presentation and Q&A of Start-up 1: CyberOrigin AI (www.cyberorigin.ai)
15:45 Presentation and Q&A of Start-up 2: Barty Medical (www.barty-medical.com)
  • ZHU Chao  Deputy GM & Board Secretary at Barty Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, China
  • Moderator:  
  • Esther BIAN  Managing Partner, C3U Venture Capital; stars Alumna, Shenzhen, China
16:30 Concluding Remarks
16:45 Departure to Futian Shangri-La
17:15 Arrival at Futian Shangri-La
  • Shangri-La

The symposium is held under the Chatham House Rules.

stars reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the programme. The full terms and conditions of stars are available here.

29 June 2025

Programme Speakers / Moderators Partners Application