Executive Briefing | Dr Ian Thomas | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • Global Live Webcasts
    • Program Streams
  • Issues
    • Complex Asia
    • Trade Smarter
    • Living with China
    • Generation Asia
  • Analysis
    • Briefing MONTHLY
    • China Executive Briefing
    • Disruptive Asia
    • Southeast Asia and COVID-19 Project
    • Webcast Videos
    • Explainers
    • Looking Ahead
    • Australian Election Policy Briefs 2022
  • Initiatives
    • Asia Trade and Innovation Hub
    • Supply Chains in Southeast Asia
    • Generation Asia Research Reports
    • Asia Taskforce
    • CEO Roundtables
    • Viet Nam Initiative
    • Australia and Korea: Middle Power Parallels
    • Australia-Japan: Stepping up a Special Strategic Relationship in Asia
  • Experts
    • Asia Society Policy Institute in Australia
    • Distinguished Fellowships
    • Scholar-In-Residence
    • Media Enquiries
  • News
  • Members and Partners
    • Become a Member
    • Our Members
    • Our Partners
  • Support Us
    • Support Asia Society Australia
    • Donate now
    • Planned giving
  • About
    • About Asia Society Australia
    • Our Strategic Plan
    • Our Programs
    • Our People
    • Our Board and Advisory Council
    • For the Media
    • Careers and Internships
    • Contact Us
Australia
Search
Australia
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • Global Live Webcasts
    • Program Streams
  • Issues
    • Complex Asia
    • Trade Smarter
    • Living with China
    • Generation Asia
  • Analysis
    • Briefing MONTHLY
    • China Executive Briefing
    • Disruptive Asia
    • Southeast Asia and COVID-19 Project
    • Webcast Videos
    • Explainers
    • Looking Ahead
    • Australian Election Policy Briefs 2022
  • Initiatives
    • Asia Trade and Innovation Hub
    • Supply Chains in Southeast Asia
    • Generation Asia Research Reports
    • Asia Taskforce
    • CEO Roundtables
    • Viet Nam Initiative
    • Australia and Korea: Middle Power Parallels
    • Australia-Japan: Stepping up a Special Strategic Relationship in Asia
  • Experts
    • Asia Society Policy Institute in Australia
    • Distinguished Fellowships
    • Scholar-In-Residence
    • Media Enquiries
  • News
  • Members and Partners
    • Become a Member
    • Our Members
    • Our Partners
  • Support Us
    • Support Asia Society Australia
    • Donate now
    • Planned giving
  • About
    • About Asia Society Australia
    • Our Strategic Plan
    • Our Programs
    • Our People
    • Our Board and Advisory Council
    • For the Media
    • Careers and Internships
    • Contact Us

Executive Briefing | Dr Ian Thomas

Observations on China

L-R Al Donald, Partner, Hebert Smith Freehills, Ian Thomas, guest speaker, Sue Gilchrist, Regional managing partner, Asia and Australia, Herbert Smith Freehills and Doug Ferguson, Chairman Asia Society Australia

Asia Society Australia recently had the pleasure of hosting Dr Ian Thomas, former CEO of Boeing Australia and Boeing China, and now CEO of Thomas Global Ventures, at an intimate luncheon briefing. Hosted by Herbert Smith Freehills, the roundtable brought together a collection of Asia Society members, old and new, to talk China. 

Dr Thomas presented his observations on China, its place in the region and on the world stage.

Financial market and economic reform
Dr Thomas began his briefing with an update on transparency and efficiency in the Chinese Financial Markets and how this would influence the changing nature of the Chinese economy. In particular he noted a shift toward consumption and services. He projected a clean-up of the shadow banking system would drastically increase the value of the Yuan.

Innovation nation
Dr Thomas highlighted the changing innovation environment in China. Policy is focusing more and more on innovation as the driver of economic productivity. 

Professor Bruce McKern made similar remarks at an Asia Society Australia event last month. See here >>

Environmental sustainability
Dr Thomas touched on the societal implications of pollution in China. He noted the huge business opportunities that have arisen from the pressing need to develop environmentally sustainable solutions domestically. He also noted an increasing trend towards exporting heavy-emitting infrastructure industries via the One Belt One Road Initiative.

More on OBOR here >>

Regional tensions
In the regional context, China is facing a number of issues in the South China Sea. These were explored in terms of their political and economic impact, with discussion of a possible regional or bilateral solution. Dr Thomas stressed the need for states to build genuine understanding and cooperation if they hope to diffuse disputes.

More on the South China Sea here >>

Taking flight
As an aviation industry veteran, Dr Thomas had insights on Chinese aviation and its contribution to the industry. He spoke of domestic investment in planes and airports, as well as financial backing for the purchase of planes by foreign companies. Given China's ambition as a rising power, Dr Thomas also forecasted China would become increasingly active in space.

Q&A
Questions covered the South China Sea dispute, a possible Chinese debt crisis, Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign, the need for transparency to secure Asia’s future as a hub for financial services, and a Donald Trump reality check: 'What would US China relations look like under a Trump POTUS?'.

Prepared by James Levy 


Executive Briefings are a curated series of meetings presented by diplomats, business leaders and subject matter experts from Asia and Australia. Designed to offer a deep dive into the critical issues of the day, to an audience of senior executives from the business, political, educational and cultural institutions that make up the Asia Society network.


This event was generously sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills.

Herbert Smith Freehills logo
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, D.C.
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2023 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC