SME Forum Shanghai Meeting - Protecting Your Know How: Practical Strategies for SMEs

In today’s highly competitive and innovation-driven market, European SMEs operating in China face growing challenges in safeguarding their research and development activities, proprietary know-how and other trade secrets. While the legal framework for intellectual property and trade secret protection in China has evolved considerably in recent years, effective protection still depends heavily on internal management practices, particularly in relation to employees, contractors and business partners. This seminar will examine practical strategies for reducing risks associated with employee mobility, confidentiality breaches, and the handling of sensitive technical and commercial information as well as providing an overview of legal remedies available in case of trade secret leaks. Following the main presentation, a dedicated panel discussion featuring senior executives from European SMEs will offer first-hand perspectives and real-world case studies based on their experiences navigating these challenges in China.

Agenda (Beijing time)

15:00 – 15:30   On-Site Registration

15:30 – 15:40   Opening Remarks by Helika Jürgenson, Project Manager, China IP SME Helpdesk

15:40 – 15:50   Opening Remarks by Ester Cañada Amela, Advocacy Manager, EU SME Centre

15:50 – 16:20   Keynote Presentation by Leslie Xu, Chang Tsi & Partners, China IP SME Helpdesk external expert

16:20 – 17:00   Panel Discussion

• Yannick Martin, Vice Chair of the SME Forum, European Chamber
• Christian Weiland, General Manager Ti-Cons
• Leslie Xu, Chang Tsi & Partners, China IP SME Helpdesk external expert
• Moderator: Andrea Alcini, Chair of the SME Forum, European Chamber

Speakers

Mr. Leslie Xu Head of Chang Tsi & Partners and China IP SME Helpdesk external expert	Dr. Leslie Xu is the head of Chang Tsi & Partners Shanghai office. His practice areas cover the overall strategy of IP prosecution and enforcement, trademark and copyright infringement litigation and non-litigation dispute resolution, IP administrative protection, IP due diligence, IP licensing, online IP protection, domain name dispute resolution, anti-unfair competition, antitrust, etc. The sectors he serves include consumption and retail, manufacturing, leisure and catering, industry, technology, finance, energy, advertising, etc. Dr. Xu has helped many clients, including Fortune 500 companies and start-ups, to formulate comprehensive IP protection strategies, and helped clients maintain IP rights in China through administrative, judicial channels, and beyond. In addition, he has also provided IP due diligence services for investment and M&A projects of many well-known multinational companies, as well as filed applications for antitrust review of simple cases of concentration of undertakings. Dr. Xu is a Humboldt fellow and postdoctoral researcher. He was once sponsored by the European Funds and engaged in academic research at the University of Warsaw. He was awarded the 2021/22 German Chancellor Fellowship of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and involved in academic research at Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition as a guest researcher. Much of his research output and interests focus on IP law’s implications for society, and he is particularly familiar with trademark law.
Mr. Andrea Alcini Chair of SME Forum, European Chamber Shanghai Chapter	Andrea Alcini is an Italian executive with over 15 years of international management experience, specializing in business development, market strategy, and industrial operations across Asia. Currently Managing Director at CEJN Fluid Systems in Shanghai, he has held senior leadership positions in prominent Italian SMEs and structured global organizations, including a leading German industrial group. He has successfully led multicultural teams and driven sustainable business growth across APAC markets. A graduate with honors in Chinese Language and Culture, he is fluent in Italian, English, and Chinese. Passionate about travel, gastronomy, and foreign culture, Andrea combines strategic vision with strong intercultural awareness in corporate leadership.
Mr. Yannick Martin Asia Director, Erlab	Yannick Martin serves as Asia Director for Erlab, a leading supplier of air filtration technology. He is a French executive offering 15+ years of international management experience, with a proven track record in business development and BU leadership across Asia. His career is defined by a strong focus on sustainability, employee health protection, and workplace wellness.
Mr. Christian Weiland General Manager, Ti-Cons	Christian Weiland is General Manager of Ti-Cons, a German technology supplier specialised in titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment production. TiO₂ is the most widely used white pigment utilised in products like paints, plastics, and paper to provide brightness, opacity, and UV protection, making it essential for both everyday goods and high-performance industrial applications. With a background in engineering, he leads, together with his colleague experts, international projects that build up new TiO2 productions and improve existing TiO2 productions across all major TiO2 process routes.
Ms. Helika Juergenson Project Manager at the China IP SME Helpdesk	Ms. Helika Juergenson, is the Project Manager at the China IP SME Helpdesk, where she manages the day-to-day activities of the Helpdesk and helps EU SMEs navigate the IP system in China. She has a strong project management background, having worked as a Project Manager and Project Coordinator on EU-funded projects in Development Solutions Europe Ltd. for over 3 years, prior to joining the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. Ms. Juergenson has been working for the China IP SME Helpdesk under Development Solutions in various roles since 2016 and has written several short articles on IP issues, published on the Helpdesk website as well as delivered keynote speeches at various IP-related conferences and forums. She holds a master’s degree in international studies with the focus on International Law from Aarhus University in Denmark.
Ms. Ester Cañada Amela Business Manager European Affairs, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China	With a background in languages and international relations, Ester is a reliable and adaptable professional with both working and academic experience in multiple countries. As part of the Government Affairs team, she currently is the Chamber's main liaison with the European Union and Member states' Governments. She also manages the advocacy activities of the EU SME Centre through liaising with business and government stakeholders, managing the Inter-Chamber SME Working Group, and producing reports on SME policies in China. Ester has a BA on Social and Institutional Translation from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and a Double Master’s Degree on European Affairs and International Politics from Sciences Po Paris and Fudan University