James McGregor is the Greater China Chairman for APCO Worldwide in China, member of the APCO International Advisory Council and author of two highly regarded books: No Ancient Wisdom, No Followers: The Challenges ofChinese Authoritarian Capitalism, published in October 2012, and One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business in China,published in 2005. He is a former bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal and CEO of Dow Jones China. Mr. McGregor is a professional speaker, CNBC commentator, blogger and essayist for a variety of publications. He has also been a venture investor, entrepreneur and advisor to many multinationals and start-up companies in his more than 20 years in China. Mr. McGregor is a former Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and currently is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Atlantic Council, Asia Society Global Council and National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.
After years of rapid growth, China is now faced with the complex task of transitioning both its economy and model of governance. Government leaders are intent on shifting to a more sustainable, consumer-driven economy, while the issues of urbanization, corruption, and environmental degradation hang over the Party’s head. The Third Plenum meeting last fall and the creation of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone sparked hopes for promising reforms, however, recent Anti-Monopoly Law machinations continue to fuel doubts.
