In Shanghai, HEC Celebrates 20 Years of Building Bridges Between China and France

On October 9, 2026, HEC Paris brought together its Chinese and international community at The Peninsula Shanghai to celebrate twenty years of presence in China. From a conference on branding in the age of artificial intelligence to an exclusive dialogue with Jean-Paul Agon, culminating in an anniversary gala, the day paid tribute to the people who have helped shape this shared history while looking ahead to the next twenty years.

Organized with the support of HEC Paris’s International Affairs Department, which also oversees the School’s Chinese subsidiary, the anniversary celebrations brought together business leaders, faculty members, corporate partners and alumni for a series of events.

Ahead of the gala, Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman of HEC Paris and L’Oréal, took part in an exclusive talk entitled “Exclusive Dialogue with Jean-Paul Agon,” moderated by Philippe Oster. A major conference on branding, co-organized with Xiaolan Yin, also brought together leading figures from academia and business, including Jean-François Palus, President of the HEC Foundation; Anne Michaut, Associate Dean at HEC Paris and Academic Director of the LVMH Chair; Emi Wang, Vice President of Michelin China; and Gu Chunguang, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Galaxis and a participant in the Wisdom Frontiers Entrepreneurs Programme.

In her presentation, “The Future of Branding,” Anne Michaut highlighted how, as AI generates ever-increasing volumes of content, trust, meaning and human connection are becoming increasingly valuable assets for brands. The subsequent panel discussion expanded on these themes, exploring organizational transformation, employer attractiveness and the conditions for successful international expansion—from French brands operating in China to Chinese companies growing their presence abroad. Together, these two events gave the day both an intellectual and a practical dimension, encouraging discussion around branding, leadership and international economic relations.

The day culminated in a gala at The Peninsula Shanghai, bringing together HEC Paris’s Chinese and international community. From the first graduates of the EMBA China program to members of the Grande École, MBA, EMAC and Wisdom Frontiers Entrepreneurs Programme, guests celebrated twenty years of academic and economic exchanges between France and China.

Co-hosted by Cheng Changqing, a member of the HEC Paris Advisory Board, and Xu Ying, HEC Paris’s representative for Greater China, the evening combined institutional addresses with personal testimonies. Éloïc Peyrache, Dean of HEC Paris, reflected on the School’s achievements since establishing its presence in China in 2006 and thanked the partners and alumni who have supported its development. Payam Shahrjerdi, Deputy Consul General of France in Shanghai, also marked the occasion on behalf of the Consulate General.

Jean-Paul Agon, in turn, emphasized the importance of relations between China and Europe in shaping the world of tomorrow. In this relationship, he noted, education is an essential driver of exchange and cross-cultural understanding. Referring to HEC Paris’s plans for a new campus, he also called on Chinese alumni and entrepreneurs to help create a globally minded learning environment where future generations can meet, learn from one another and build the future together.

Personal Journeys That Tell the Story of HEC in China

Beyond the formal speeches, several contributions brought a more personal dimension to the evening. Leo Lui (H.84), former President of Hermès China, shared his perspective on the transformation of the Chinese market, which he first encountered in 1987. His career at Hermès, LVMH and L’Oréal gave him a front-row seat to China’s economic opening, as well as the opportunities and challenges it created for international businesses.

The future was also at the heart of Jean-François Palus’s address. As President of the HEC Foundation, he presented the HEC Excellence Fund for China, a scholarship initiative designed to enable more talented Chinese students to pursue their studies in France, further strengthening the ties between the two countries and expanding access to an international education.

The alumni community also played an active role in the celebrations. During the evening, Philippe Oster (E.16), Director of International Affairs at HEC Paris, received two commemorative gifts on behalf of the School: one from the HEC campus in Qatar, presented by Joshua Kobb (E.07), Director of Development and Impact at HEC Paris Qatar, who had travelled from Doha especially for the occasion; and another from the inaugural EMBA China class of 2007, presented by Xue Jianrong on behalf of his classmates. These gestures reflected the commitment of HEC alumni and the vitality of a network that extends far beyond geographical borders and generations.

The evening also provided an opportunity to recognize the dedication of two members of the local team, Xu Ying Elodie and Mo Song, who were honored for their loyalty and contributions to HEC Paris’s development in China. A retrospective film then revisited the major milestones of the past twenty years, bringing to life the encounters and exchanges that have connected students, faculty, alumni and partners. The involvement of members of the HEC Alumni Shanghai Chapter and the many volunteers who contributed to the event also played an important part in making the anniversary a success.

A Song to Look to the Future

Music added a distinctive touch to the celebrations. Nathalie Yu, a 2015 graduate of the EMBA China program, performed an original song entitled Dare the Impossible alongside French singer Anne. Inspired by HEC Paris’s motto, the song was composed especially for the anniversary. Following the performance, Nathalie Yu formally transferred the copyright to the School, ensuring that the creation would become part of the anniversary’s shared legacy.

From the inaugural EMBA China class to the newest generations of graduates, the day highlighted a history shaped by individual journeys, partnerships and collective commitment. Since opening its Beijing office in 2006, HEC Paris has steadily expanded its presence in China through its degree programs, executive education and collaborations with local business and academic communities.

As the School looks toward the next twenty years, its ambition remains to deepen educational and economic ties between China and Europe. In Shanghai, the celebrations served as a reminder that behind institutions, programs and events, it is ultimately the connections between people that give this cooperation its depth, strength and lasting continuity.