Keeping good company

Javier Gimeno, 57, a Spanish citizen working in a French company in Shanghai, did not expect China would grant him and his family permanent residency, the equivalent of a "green card", last year.

The privilege, in his view, came remarkably quickly as Gimeno, who is group senior vice-president and CEO for Asia-Pacific operations at Saint-Gobain SA, a French industrial conglomerate, his wife and their two children relocated from Paris to Shanghai just over a decade ago. The Shanghai municipal government recognized his value addition to the local economy.

Holders of permanent residency in China enjoy a range of conveniences unlike other expatriates who have to use their passports to travel inside the country and renew their visas periodically.

Life in China is much easier with a PR card, he says. Whether to buy a high-speed train ticket at short notice or board a flight at the last minute to visit his employer's plants and clients or check into hotels, Gimeno uses the card instead of his passport.

China has made notable progress over the last 11 years. It is a much more open country today than it was one decade ago－a country in which business life is dynamic, fair and easy, he says.

Gimeno was president of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China from 2015 to 2019.

"The government's efficient collaboration with the business community has created a fairly supportive and fruitful environment," says Gimeno.

"I have been amazed by the speed and depth with which the country has been able to transform its economic model in recent years, with a growing weight of technology, innovation, creativity, research and development.

"We have witnessed a huge qualitative leap of China in the global value chain, going from pure manufacturer to creator, designer and innovator."

He says all this has been accompanied by a shift toward a sustainable, green and digital society.

The Paris-based Saint-Gobain plans to open at least 10 plants during China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), including one in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, to ramp up its production capacity in China and meet growing demand for plaster board products and other construction materials.

In September, Gimeno received the Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award, which is granted by the municipal government to recognize expats who have made outstanding contribution to the social and economic development of the city.

The awardees and their families are entitled to apply for permanent residency, which is one of the benefits and privileges granted by the Shanghai government.

"This award has brought to my life and the life of my family some relevant practical advantages under the form of permanent resident's permit," Gimeno says.

"Very factually, when it comes to living in China and traveling abroad, we are treated as if we were Chinese citizens, which is certainly a privilege."

The world is going through times affected by factors such as the pandemic and some countries' trade policies, and global trade has been blocked by certain countries' protective measures－many economies have suffered or faced high tariffs or trade measures in the process, he says.

However, Gimeno takes a long-term perspective.

He understands that the general trend remains largely unchanged by temporary measures. "It will not have the capacity to stop the course of things," says Gimeno.

Entering China in 1985, Saint-Gobain runs one large-scale research and development center and over 40 manufacturing facilities, with over 8,000 employees, across the country.

As China has successfully mitigated the impact of the pandemic, Gimeno says the country will remain a competitive supply-chain choice for Saint-Gobain.

"After the dramatic drop caused by the contagion during the months of February and March in 2020, our company recovered the level of activity of 2019 from April in China," says Gimeno.

"We experienced a significant and progressive acceleration of demand in the Chinese market over the summer (last year). The company has enjoyed double-digit growth since September. We hope this trend will continue this year."

For Saint-Gobain, the most relevant part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan is the commitment to research and development, technology, innovation and sustainability. All these elements are the pillars of the new economic model of this country, he says.

Gimeno's opinion is shared by Kamran Vossoughi, president and CEO of Michelin China, a Shanghai-based French mobility company, who says many global business leaders have found that China is opening its door wider to welcome foreign investment.

"Over the years, the opening-up initiatives have been constantly updated and upgraded. The new negative lists in China's pilot free trade zones are proof," says Vossoughi.

"China's openness and welcoming attitude allows foreign companies to come to invest more conveniently and confidently. This will enable companies, China and the world to achieve a win-win situation."

Rajat Agarwal, president of Henkel China, a German industrial and consumer goods manufacturer, says with China leading the global economic recovery after COVID-19, the country's mega market, optimized business environment and status as the biggest trading partner of more than 120 countries and regions will continue to generate big dividends for global companies in the long run.

Gimeno says he likes green tea, outdoor activities and spending time with his family. He visits museums and art galleries to learn about Chinese history and literature, and tries not to miss games of Real Madrid, the Spanish soccer club, in his spare time.

He has participated in Shanghai marathons and visited Sichuan, Yunnan, Henan and Anhui provinces. His favorite Chinese dishes are from Sichuan, Guangdong and Shanghai.