Doing business in China in 2026 and beyond: Which opportunities exist in China for Manitoba companies

Name: Doing business in China in 2026 and beyond: Which opportunities exist in China for Manitoba companies
Start: 2026-05-28T04:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-05-28

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China is Canada’s second-largest single-country trade partner, with Canadian exports totaling approximately $30 billion annually. Building on the new Canada–China memorandums of understanding announced in early 2026, fresh opportunities are emerging for Canadian companies, particularly those looking to position themselves for long-term engagement in the Chinese market.

Leveraging recent insights from KPMG and the Canada–China Business Council (CCBC), this webinar will provide Manitoba businesses with a timely look at the future of doing business in China and what recent policy and market shifts mean in practice.

KPMG’s Jean‑Yves Lavoie, a Manitoba native, will present highlights from KPMG’s Multinational Companies (MNCs) China Outlook Report, which surveys global firms on how they are adapting their China strategies for the years ahead.

Jeff Zhang of the Canada–China Business Council will then share key findings from CCBC’s bi‑annual Canada–China Business Survey, offering perspectives on how Canadian and Chinese companies are responding to the evolving bilateral business environment.

Date: Thursday, May 28th, 2026

Time: 9:00am – 10:00am

Format: Virtual – on Microsoft Teams

Cost: Free to attend (discounted to $0 thanks to our funders)

Presented by

Jean-Yves Lavoie

MNC Channel Executive | KPMG China, Shanghai

Jean-Yves Lavoie is a Shanghai-based market analyst and business development manager at KPMG China, specializing in multinational companies. Having lived in China for a decade, he brings a practical, on-the-ground perspective on how foreign companies are navigating China today, with a focus on where real commercial opportunities exist. In his previous roles, Jean-Yves was Research Manager at the China-Britain Business Council, after which he was an event organizer and program manager at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jean-Yves holds a bachelor’s degree in political studies from the University of Manitoba and a master’s degree in international relations from Renmin University of China in Beijing. A native French and English speaker, Jean-Yves is also highly proficient in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese.

Jeff Zhang

Senior Regional Director | Central Canada, Canada China Business Council (CCBC)

Jeff has over 25 years of international experience in private, public and non-profit organizations in a variety of sectors including E-commerce, oil and gas, retail, commercial real estate, education and financial services.

Prior to joining CCBC, Jeff worked in establishment and operation management at a Sino-Foreign joint venture company and in strategic partnership management at a Fortune 500 multinational company. He also led and assisted several Canadian companies and educational institutions into China where he was responsible for strategic partnerships and branding establishment.

Jeff has an MBA in marketing and international business from Concordia University in Montreal and is fluent in Mandarin and English. He has also been a guest speaker at professional business associations in China and Canada.