Apple and Vanke CEOs Join Paulson Institute-CCIEE CEO Council for Sustainable Urbanization

Beijing, China—The Paulson Institute and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges announced today that Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, and Wang Shi, CEO of Vanke, will join its CEO Council for Sustainable Urbanization, which will hold its second annual meeting in Beijing on October 22.

The mission of the CEO Council, which is comprised of CEOs from 17 U.S. and Chinese companies, is to harness the power of business to advance sustainable urbanization in China through innovative corporate environmental practices, direct actions by companies and governments, and support for effective government policies.

“These CEOs and their companies have demonstrated a commitment to advancing sustainable business practices and will play an important role in helping to advance the work of the Council, Paulson Institute Chairman Henry M. Paulson, Jr., said. “I’m delighted to welcome them as our newest members.”

“Apple is committed to running our global operations on 100 percent renewable energy and we’re working hard to reduce emissions throughout our global supply chain,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “We look forward to participating in the CEO Council’s effort to advance China’s green transformation and hope to do our part in helping China reach its climate goals.”

“This Council represents the champions of the American and Chinese businesses who are aligned and united in our deepest care about the future of our cities. As a developer and urban service provider, Vanke believes in the power of this group to tackle critical environmental and social issues that will have significant impacts on the life of our communities,” said Vanke CEO Wang Shi.

In addition to continuing its ongoing work on energy efficiency and sustainable buildings, this year the Council will also focus on projects to scale clean technologies in China, given the bilateral importance of this issue. China’s ambitious environmental and urbanization agendas are increasingly focused on clean technology solutions and overcoming the barriers to broader adoption of those solutions. The meeting will provide a forum for discussion of concrete ways to advance that timely and important goal.

CEO Council Members:

Mary Barra, Chief Executive Officer, General Motors
Carlos Brito, Chief Executive Officer, Anheuser-Busch InBev
Chen Dongsheng, Chairman, Taikang Life Insurance
Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer, Apple
David M. Cote, Chairman and CEO, Honeywell
Guan Qing, Chairman, China State Construction Engineering Corporation
Mark S. Hoplamazian, President, CEO and Director, Hyatt Hotels Corp.
Huang Nubo, Chairman, Beijing Zhongkun Investment Group
Li Dongsheng, Chairman, TCL
Liang Xinjun, Vice Chairman and CEO, Fosun Group
Liu Zhenya, President and CEO, State Grid Corporation of China
Andrew N. Liveris, Chairman, President, and CEO, Dow Chemical Company
Jack Ma Yun, Chairman, Alibaba Group
Doug McMillon, President and CEO, Walmart
Virginia M. Rometty, Chairman, President, and CEO, IBM
Wang Shi, Chairman, China Vanke Co.
Zheng Zhijie, Vice Chairman and Executive Director, China Development Bank

About the Paulson Institute: The Paulson Institute is a “think and do” tank that promotes environmental protection and sustainable development in the United States and China, while advancing bilateral economic relations and cross-border investment. Established in 2011 by Henry M. Paulson, Jr., the Institute is committed to the principle that today’s most pressing economic and environmental challenges can be solved only if the United States and China work in complementary ways.

The non-partisan, independent Institute works at the nexus of economic and environmental issues in the United States and China. Its programs in China focus on improving climate and air quality, advancing ecological conservation and promoting sustainable cities. The Institute’s Think Tank publishes papers on the most important macroeconomic issues facing China today, energy strategies and issues in U.S.-China relations. The Institute promotes bilateral cross-border investment that will improve U.S.-China relations and help create jobs and works to reduce economic risk from climate change. The Institute is headquartered at the University of Chicago and has offices in Washington and Beijing.

About China Center for International Economic Exchanges: China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), founded on March 20th, 2009, is registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and operates under the guidance and supervision of the National Development and Reform Commission in terms of its business scope. The main scope of work for CCIEE is: to conduct research on major international and domestic economic issues; to conduct international exchanges and cooperation; to provide government with intellectual support; and to provide enterprises and other sectors of society with a platform for economic exchanges.

CCIEE is committed to serving China’s development, improving people’s livelihood and promoting exchanges and cooperation. By adhering to the socialist theoretical system with Chinese characteristics and the values of Originality, Objectively, Rationality and Compatibility, CCIEE actively conducts research on significant domestic and international theoretical and strategic issues. CCIEE compiles periodicals such as Research Report, Think-tank’s Voice, Information Feedback and a monthly journal called Globalization.

For more about CCIEE, visit english.cciee.org.cn.