China's Growing Economic and Political Impact on East Asia (10:30 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.)

Speakers: Lyndon Cao, Vice President of China Daily USA; Haiyang Li, Rice University; Fred Teng, Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of New York and CEO of NewsChina

Women's Leadership Initiative Keynotes (11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.)

Speakers: Ann Lee, New York University Adjunct Professor of Finance and Economics; Janet Carmosky, Founder of The China Business Network

Young women around the world represent a rising demographic of promise and change. The GCC Women's Leadership Initiative aims to inspire young women to achieve their professional goals through exposure, networking, and education. Join us for keynote speeches by Ann Lee and Janet Carmosky as they discuss their professional experiences in China and share their recommendations for success.

Currency Game: The Evolving RMB-Dollar Competition (1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)

Moderator: Vinh Tran, New York University

Speakers: Patrick Ru, Goldman Sachs Securities; Shau (Xiaoqing) Zhang, Partner, Ernst & Young China Overseas Investment; Lingling Wei, The Wall Street Journal; Gordon Chang, Forbes Magazine Contributor

Given China's increasing influence on the global monetary system, market analysts and policymakers in other countries have lamented what they see as an inadequate response to rising inflation. Many U.S. government officials are concerned that continued Chinese currency devaluation will lead to further imbalances within the two nations’ trade relationship and hinder American economic growth. This panel will review the history of this currency dispute and propose some solutions.

The Global Effects of China's Changing Business Climate (3:20 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

Moderator: Janet Stites, Publisher of China Business Knowledge

Speakers: Becker Chase, Booz and Company; Andras Forgacs, Managing Director at Richmond Global; Joel Mitnick, Partner, Sidley & Austin (New York); Fengming Liu, Associate General Counsel of Microsoft China

This panel will explore whether the business climate within China will affect the global aspirations shared by Chinese entrepreneurs and business leaders. Many companies from inside and outside China have encountered significant difficulties as they try to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by China's growth.  This panel will examine the stiff challenges--such as restrictions on foreign investment and lack of intellectual property protections--that still confront entrepreneurs and more established firms as they operate in China's marketplace. Furthermore, the speakers will be asked how they think the obstacles within China will influence the global ambitions of homegrown enterprises.

China's Increasing Out-bound Investment (4:40 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.)

Moderator: Megan Penick, Penick & Associates

Speakers: Axel Motte, Tax Specialist at Deloitte; Michal Meidan, China Analyst at Eurasia Group; Richard Nie, Partner, King and Wood (Shanghai)

As state-owned and private companies in China start to acquire world-class managers and gain familiarity with Western markets, the pace of these firms' global expansion has quickened. Chinese energy companies have taken the lead, gaining access to natural resources in Australia, Canada, South America, and Africa. Recently, Chinese banks have made moves towards entering the U.S. retail banking business. These trends are distressing to some and uplifting for others. This panel will explore the implications of a greater Chinese presence within multiple industries across global markets.