As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and continue the economic recovery, this series of discussions with Heidrick & Struggles consultants based in China is meant to uncover the current dynamics and leadership needed to steer foreign companies toward success in China.

In this excerpt from the discussions, Heidrick & Struggles’ David Hui and Ed Zheng discuss the growing technology sector in China and the main challenges for oversees listed companies that want to be active in the technology space there. The major challenge, Zheng explains, is there is a heightened sensitivity and awareness for the Chinese entities to exert control over both technology and the data assets, which has never been there before. Today, companies are much more cautious about taking control of and protecting their proprietary technology, as well as data assets.

About the speakers

David Hui (dhui@heidrick.com) is the regional managing partner of Heidrick & Struggles’ Industrial Practice for Asia Pacific and the Middle East and leads the CEO & Board of Directors Practice in Hong Kong; he is based in the Hong Kong office.

Ed Zheng (ezheng@heidrick.com) is a partner in the Shanghai office and leads the Global Technology Services Practice in China.