Innovation and Challenges for Enterprises Going Global in the New Era

Jan 15-2026   

On 21st December 2025, the thematic forum “New Pathways for Global Expansion: Innovation to Break Through Challenges” was successfully convened at Chengze Garden, Peking University’s National School of Development. This forum brought together cutting-edge insights from academia and industry, facilitating in-depth discussions on innovative pathways and practical challenges for enterprises expanding overseas in the new era. Five distinguished speakers from academia, business, and government engaged in intellectual exchanges and case analyses. Their contributions broadened attendees’ perspectives on corporate internationalisation while confronting transformational hurdles encountered during expansion, collectively exploring innovative opportunities and development strategies.

Focusing on Cutting-Edge Developments: Multi-Dimensional Insights into Innovation & Challenges in Corporate Internationalisation

During the thematic sharing session, speakers offered multi-faceted insights and practical experiences on corporate internationalisation. Professor Yang Zhuang, Chair Professor of the Development Fund at Alumni College of PKU NSD, delivered a presentation titled “Leadership in China’s Overseas Enterprises: Opportunities and Challenges”. He systematically explored the essence of cross-cultural leadership, successful case studies of internationalising enterprises, five major challenges faced by such companies, and a tripartite leadership development framework for global expansion.

Mr. Shao Honghua, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Globalwits, Vice President of the China Society for Foreign Economic and Trade Statistics under the Ministry of Commerce, and Director of its Trade Digitalisation Committee, presented on “Data Intelligence: Reshaping the Foundational Logic and Growth Paradigms of Enterprise Globalisation”. He traced the historical context and opportunities for overseas expansion, analysed digital transformation trends in foreign trade, and proposed ten strategic recommendations for globalisation.

Ms. Yu Min, Vice President of Global Public Affairs Centre at JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd., addressed “The Current State and Challenges of Chinese New Energy Enterprises Going Global”. She interpreted the global new energy industry landscape, examined the overseas practices of Chinese photovoltaic enterprises, and explored strategic planning and capability enhancement within compliance frameworks.

Mr. Wang Huawei, Vice President of the PKU NSD Human Resources Association, Chairman of WINWIN BPO, and EMBA2016 alumnus, presented on “Practical Breakthroughs: Explorations and Reflections on HR Service Practices for Chinese Enterprises Going Global in the New Era.” From an HR service provider’s perspective, he dissected the transition path from “product globalisation” to “service globalisation”, summarising key principles such as “localised operations, reverence for local cultures, and balanced development.”

Ideas Collide: Summit Dialogue on Pathways & Choices for Corporate Global Expansion

The roundtable discussion, moderated by Professor Wang Xianqing from PKU NSD Development Communication Centre, Professor Yang Zhuang, Mr. Shao Honghua, Ms. Yu Min, alumnus Wang Huawei, and special guest Mr. Si Hai (Assistant to the Mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Honorary President of the Southern Africa Shanghai Business Association).

Participants engaged in profound discussions on critical aspects of overseas expansion, including post-expansion reviews, strategic pathways, contextualised cross-cultural leadership applications, and compliance management. The dialogue encompassed both incisive analyses of current challenges and forward-looking perspectives on future trends.