On 30 May 2025, we will host the Cambridge China Business Forum at the historic Cambridge Union, bringing together thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from China, the UK, and across the globe. As co-chair of the Cambridge China Business Society, I warmly invite you to join this day of ideas, insights, and connections.
Innovation driven future: Advancing global markets with emerging tech
This year’s theme focuses on tech-driven innovation that has shaped China’s business landscape over the past decade. We dive into three timely topics:
- AI Disruption
- Green Technology
- Digital Commerce & Consumer Trends
When our team first began planning, we asked: What should our audience walk away with? We landed on this: a clearer lens on the Chinese tech wave, what’s happening beyond the headlines, and why it matters globally.
Cambridge China Business Forum: Speaker highlights
We’re thrilled to welcome an exceptional line up of global leaders and corporate innovators to this year’s forum.
Especially – you won’t want to miss the voices behind these headline-making companies:
- 01.AI, founded by world-renowned AI pioneer Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, will share real-world insights on large language models and enterprise AI transformation.
- JD.com, one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms now expanding into Europe, will offer perspectives on digital commerce and global growth.
- Jinko Solar, the world’s No.1 solar panel manufacturer, along with Envision Energy, a global leader in wind power, and Octopus Energy, the UK’s top electricity supplier, will anchor our green tech discussion
We’re also thrilled to welcome senior leaders from Tencent, Amazon Web Services, and BYD, sharing their practices at the frontier of innovation.
Why I chose to lead this during my MBA year
Organising a full-day forum for 240+ attendees is no small task. From defining the theme and engaging senior speakers to managing partnerships, volunteers, and onsite operations – it has felt like building a startup from the ground up. It demanded vision, relentless execution, and a lot of late nights.
People often ask, “Why put so much time into something unrelated to job hunting?”
But they weren’t there when I spoke with tech founders, professors, or community leaders. Those weren’t just logistical calls – they were rich conversations. I learned about the UK tech and startup ecosystem, and how we, as MBA students, can be bridges between communities and catalysts for new ideas.
More than that, I received ongoing support – not necessarily in the form of referrals, but through a shared passion and genuine encouragement. That kind of trust and belief is what truly fuels me, and it’s why this journey has been so meaningful.
How it shaped me on my MBA journey
This experience has been a defining chapter of my MBA journey – deeply aligned with my aspiration to join the tech sector and one day lead a startup. While my career experience at both McKinsey and BCG gave me a strong foundation in structured thinking and client delivery, leading the Cambridge China Business Forum pushed me to grow in entirely new ways.
It was a masterclass in product management and early stage leadership. I had to motivate without formal authority, align a team of volunteers from diverse backgrounds, and make tough calls on priorities – all while keeping the vision intact. I led end-to-end execution, from speaker outreach to partnership negotiation, all under real world time pressure.
I also learned how to negotiate with sponsors, land buy in from stakeholders, and turn ambiguity into action. These are the same capabilities I’ll need as a future founder or product leader – just applied to a student led initiative today.
Most importantly, I learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating momentum, building trust, and staying true to your purpose even when it’s not easy.
That’s what this forum has taught me – and for that, I’m truly grateful.
Supported by a great community
None of this would be possible without the incredible support from Cambridge Judge Business School – from the Dean’s Office, the MBA Programme team, the Careers team at Cambridge Judge, Central and MBA Marketing teams, the CJBS Alumni team, Media, and Stewardship teams.
As students, we need a stage to shine – and CJBS delivered on that promise.
Whenever we brought forward a clear vision, CJBS backed us with trust, resources, and encouragement. I honestly can’t imagine a more empowering or supportive environment.
Huge thanks to our co-hosts:
· King’s Entrepreneurship Lab, who supported our green technology and entrepreneurship sessions;
· CBAIA , a UK non-profit founded in 2018 to promote AI collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking between China and Britain;
And special thanks to Uplefting, a global design platform powered by Hybrid Intelligence, founded by a Cambridge alumnus, who crafted our vibrant visuals.
Thanks also to everyone who lent a hand along the way. What I love most about Cambridge is its supportive, collaborative spirit. Whenever you turn to someone for help, they’re always willing to connect you with another who can. It’s rare to find such a generous and like-minded community – and here we are, in Cambridge.
Thank you for reading this far – and for bearing with all my reflections!
See You on May 30
On behalf of the organising team, I sincerely invite you to join the Cambridge China Business Forum 2025. Whether you’re curious about China’s innovation ecosystem, exploring global tech trends, or seeking new inspiration – this is your front-row seat.
Tickets are limited. Secure your seat now! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cbsc245/1662342
