The relationship between China and the world appears to be entering a new phase. China’s economic miracle was fueled by industry and investment, but today domestic consumption is the main driving force of growth. The country is becoming less exposed in economic terms to the rest of the world. However, reflecting China’s rise to being the world’s second-largest economy and its leading trading nation, the rest of the world is becoming more exposed to China. These shifts have been accompanied by trade tensions and rising protectionism in many countries, raising the question whether we have reached a point of peak integration between China and the world.
In the report China and the world: Inside the dynamics of a changing relationship, we look at the extent of China’s global scale and integration, and highlight some of the findings of the new McKinsey Global Institute China-World Exposure Index. We examine the exposure of sectors and countries to the China-world relationship, with particular emphasis on the technology and consumer sectors. Finally, we simulate what might be at stake for China and the rest of the world from less engagement and from more engagement, and briefly explore how businesses might navigate what may be a highly uncertain environment.
Based in China since 1985, Dr. Jonathan Woetzel has been instrumental in building McKinsey's China office. In addition to his work helping Chinese and other Asian businesses prepare for global growth, Jonathan is a director of the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), McKinsey's business and economics research arm. He also leads McKinsey's Cities Special Initiative and is responsible for convening McKinsey's work with city, regional, and national authorities in more than 40 geographies around the world. He is a co-chair of the not-for-profit think tank, the Urban China Initiative—a joint venture of Tsinghua University and McKinsey—that aims to develop and implement solutions to China's urbanization challenges.
Jonathan has led numerous research efforts on global economic trends, including growth and productivity, urbanization, affordable housing, energy and sustainability, e-commerce, and the economic impact of the Internet, as well as on productivity growth and economic development in China and Asia.
Jonathan's public sector work is extensive. He has advised national governments in Asia on improving the environment for foreign investors, national energy policy, and economic development strategies. He also leads work with local government authorities, having conducted more than 60 projects throughout China to support local economic development and transformation. This includes working extensively in real estate—specifically, on commercial revitalization—and advising on energy investment strategies and energy productivity and transparency, among other issues.
Jonathan works in the private sector as well, most often on issues related to corporate strategy, operations, and organization. He has served clients in industries such as energy, metals and mining, health care, telecommunications, and transportation and supported the largest company in China in a fundamental restructuring that led to the then-largest foreign listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Jonathan actively participates in a number of international forums and lectures at the Guanghua School of Business and the China-Europe International Business School, and is also an honorary lecturer at Jiaotong University's Antai Business School.
Wednesday, December 4th at 7:00 pm
Doors Open at 6:30 pm
CFLD Hall, Schwarzman College, Level B1
