The dramatic rise of China as an economic, political, technological and scientific player in the world obviously has enormous potential for global innovation and trade, let alone undreamed of prosperity for millions of Chinese people. Yet Western commentators seem ambivalent. Some worry that China will be a competitor for business and jobs, but others argue that development in China benefits Western business and consumers. The debate about rapid urbanisation in China reveals further anxieties. 120 million people have moved into urban areas in the past 20 years, and there are plans to build 20 new cities a year for the next 20 years. UK architects and planners marvel at the ambition and scale of China’s growing futuristic cityscapes. But others worry about over-population, disruption of ‘indigenous’ communities, and the environmental impact of cities. Further concerns include the growing gap between rich and poor, and even rising prosperity itself. NGOs claim that if everyone in China attains a Western lifestyle, we will need several new planets. Western governments are thus making it their business to advise China on how to manage its development, and last year the OECD published no fewer than 51 recommendations about what China should do to improve its environmental performance.

• As China embraces progress and modernity, are Western observers right to advise it to slow down?
• Does the emphasis on the problems caused by growth in contemporary China mean the benefits tend to be understated?
• What is the balance between China as a threat or opportunity for the rest of the world?

The session will be introduced by Cindy Godwin, Head of Business Development, International Norton Rose LLP