Recap | Nov 13: Chairman’s Roundtable Series: Manufacturing
On November 13th, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai hosted our inaugural event of the Chairman’s Roundtable Series, focused on the topic of Automotive Parts Manufacturing. Supported by the Canadian Consulate in Shanghai, this exclusive roundtable brought together various senior professionals with direct experience within the automotive industry.
Manufacturing remains a cornerstone sector to Canada-China relations. However, the landscape of manufacturing in China is changing. Faced with rising costs, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain diversification, many Canadian companies are talking about shifting assembly to alternative markets outside of China. This challenge is further complicated with the evolving global economy.
Moderated by Dr. Mark Ceolin, Chairman and Founder of CanCham, the topic was on Reimagining the Canada-China Manufacturing Partnership. This exclusive roundtable invited experienced professionals for a closed-door discussion that examined strategies for navigating the new realities, identifying where opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and value creation in the China market still lie, and defining a new, more resilient partnership for Canada-China Manufacturing.
The roundtable discussion focused on the strategic shift from efficiency to resiliency in global automotive parts manufacturing. Key topics that were discussed include the future of operations in China, the financing and execution of supply chain diversification, and the large impact of AI and automation on location strategies.
Participants also explored questions on how partnership value should be redefined with new metrics for sustainability and risk, including the critical challenge of safeguarding intellectual property across a more distributed and diverse supply chain. More specifically, the discussion probed at how Canada can position itself as an attractive and strategic partner in the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape.
Participants in attendance include: Trade Commissioner Services of the Canadian Consulate in Shanghai, representatives from Linamar (China) Investment, Ningbo Jiada Specialty Metals Ltd., Shanghai Soucy Rubber Co., ElemenTwin, Centre for International Governance Innovation, World Legal Summit, and Gowling WLG.
A comprehensive White Paper will be follow, detailing the shared expertise, strategic insights, and key recommendations emerged from the discussion.
We would like to thank all invited participants who joined us for this enriching discussion. We would like to extend a special thanks to our Venue Sponsor: Brookfield.
About the Chairman’s Roundtable Series
The Chairman’s Roundtable series aims to establish a collaborative platform for Canadian companies, local partners, and government representatives to discuss sector-specific trends, challenges, and opportunities within the Chinese and Indo-Pacific markets.
These roundtables aim to facilitate networking and partnership-building, provide insights into factors like evolving consumer preferences, and promote the adoption of sustainable practices. A further key goal is to highlight and advance Canada’s active role in the region’s economic development by fostering stronger commercial and diplomatic ties.
Stay tuned for more roundtable sessions coming in early 2026. Planned upcoming roundtables include:
Natural Resources: January 8th, 2026
Agriculture & Agri-Food: January 22nd, 2026
We welcome your participation and your ideas, and we look forward to connecting with you!
