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stars China alumni study tour to Shenzhen and Guangzhou 2026

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

28 June - 1 July 2026

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:

Sunday, 28 June 2026 - 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
  • Uli SIGG  Art Collector, Business Leader, Former Swiss Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, North Korea and Mongolia; Member, stars China Advisory Panel, Mauensee, Switzerland
  • N.N.  
  • N.N.  
Panel Discussion
18:30 Cocktails and Dinner
  • Jiangsu Room Shangri-La, 3rd Floor
Monday, 29 June 2026 - 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, 30 June 2026 - 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, 1 July 2026 - 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
Q&A
11:30 Concluding Remarks
Lunch with Faculty and Students, hosted by SUSTech
13:30 Arrival at Futian Shangri-La
  • Shangri-La
14:00 Optional Programme: Departure to M+ Hong Kong
  • Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby, 1st Floor
  • Shangri-La
17:00 stars Hong Kong alumni chapter meeting
  • M+ Hong Kong
Guided Tour of the M+ Sigg Collection
  • Uli SIGG  Art Collector, Business Leader, Former Swiss Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, North Korea and Mongolia; Member, stars China Advisory Panel, Mauensee, Switzerland
19:30 End of Optional Programme

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.

9 October 2025