UNDERSTANDING TODAY’S CHINA: LOOKING BEYOND THE HEADLINES
17 September 2026 | Laowei Jie, Shanghai
China is changing rapidly. But understanding those changes requires more than following short-term economic indicators, consumer trends or international headlines.
On 17 September 2026, The Network brought together three speakers with different perspectives for an evening dedicated to “Understanding Today’s China.”
The discussion was structured around three dimensions:
Cultural Foundations – Marco Beba
Deeper Patterns – Axel Kruse
Emerging Trends – Wendy Shen
Together, the three perspectives created a broader framework for understanding how China is developing and why many developments in the country need to be viewed within a longer historical, cultural and social context.
Cultural Foundations – Marco Beba
Marco Beba, Staff to the BASF Greater China President & Chairman and author of Enduring Frameworks, approached China through its cultural foundations.
Many aspects of modern China become easier to understand when placed within a broader historical and cultural framework.
Long-established concepts continue to influence relationships, institutions, decision-making and perceptions of society even as the country continues to modernise.
His presentation provided a useful bridge between China’s historical foundations and the realities of contemporary business and society.
Emerging Trends – Wendy Shen
Wendy Shen, Business Development and Marketing Consultant, focused on the future and on the emerging trends shaping today’s China.
Her perspective looked at how consumer behaviour, younger generations, changing lifestyles, technology and new expectations are transforming the Chinese market.
These changes are particularly important for international companies.
China’s consumers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and selective. Younger consumers are more willing to question established brand positioning, compare products and evaluate whether a brand truly delivers value.
International or Western brands can therefore no longer rely simply on their foreign origin or heritage. They increasingly need to demonstrate relevance, authenticity and a clear reason for Chinese consumers to choose them.
Wendy complemented the other two presentations by shifting the discussion from China’s deeper structures and cultural foundations toward the changes already shaping its future.
Deeper Patterns – Axel Kruse
Axel Kruse, Founder and Principal Consultant of Griffin (Shanghai) Business Consulting, explored some of the deeper patterns behind developments in contemporary China.
Looking beyond individual events or short-term trends helps identify recurring structures and behavioural patterns that influence how Chinese society, institutions and businesses operate.
His perspective encouraged the audience to look beneath the surface and to consider the underlying forces shaping China today.
Looking Back, Beneath the Surface and Forward
The combination of the three speakers was deliberate.
Understanding China requires looking at the country from several perspectives at the same time:
Marco Beba explored the cultural foundations.
Axel Kruse examined the deeper patterns.
Wendy Shen looked at the emerging trends that are changing China today.
Together, they demonstrated that understanding China requires looking backwards, beneath the surface and forwards at the same time.
The event took place at Papas Bierstube on Laowai Street in Shanghai, combining three speaker sessions with an informal environment that encouraged discussion and networking between participants.
For The Network, the evening represented another step in developing a platform where business professionals can exchange different perspectives on China, international business and the relationship between the two.
The objective remains simple: creating informed conversations, meaningful professional relationships and Trusted Links Between East and West.
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