The European Chamber got off to a strong start for the year of the horse, opening its 10^th office nationwide in Qingdao, Shandong Province. The opening of the new office follows growing demand from members operating in the region and will allow companies to leverage the Chamber’s platform for engagement, business intelligence and dialogue with key stakeholders.

The new office will serve member companies across Shandong Province, with plans to host about 20 events each year, ranging from factory visits to executive roundtables. As a key port city, Qingdao adds much-needed coverage to northern China, complementing an existing presence in Beijing, Shenyang and Tianjin. The office will operate under the guidance of an Advisory Committee and report directly to the Chamber’s secretary general.

The new year also marked a significant update for the European Chamber’s Beijing office, which moved just 100 metres across the street to the DRC Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Office Building. While the Beijing Chapter enjoyed 25 memorable years in the Kempinski—and then Yansha—Office building, it was time for a change. The new office is brighter, offers more meeting rooms and importantly allows all departments to be located in the same premises.

As the Chamber enters its 26^th year of advocating on behalf of European business in China, these two new office developments represent an investment not just in the Chamber’s future but in the future of China’s European business community as a whole.

The year ahead will undoubtably continue to present challenges—both globally and within China’s business environment—but the European Chamber will remain an indispensable asset for our members, perhaps even more so against the backdrop of a turbulent external environment.