Trends in China and the evolving role of brands
Join us for a Fireside chat with Zhen Wu on the future of global industry. Zhen Wu is the Vice President, International Business Development China, Magna International, and former Head of Magna China. Magna International Inc is one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, operating 327 Manufacturing facilities across 28 countries, employing over 154k people.
Learn how the megatrends including EV adoption, industry transformation, sustainability, and the evolving role of brands are playing out across China as well as insights into a broader vision for society.
Brought to you by Asia New Zealand Foundation, New Zealand China Council, and the Auckland Business Chamber. Supported by New Zealand China Trade Association.
Speaker
Zhen Wu
Magna International Inc
Zhen joined Magna in May 2010 as the first lawyer in Asia, responsible for all legal and compliance affairs in China and other Asian countries. She supported strategic investments, M&A, asset integration and major business negotiations for all Magna groups in Asia during her 11-year service in legal team. In March 2021 Zhen was promoted to the position of Head of Magna China, and took full responsibility for the strategy development and execution of Magna China during the disruptive change period in the industry, driving and strengthening the cooperation and synergy across product lines, creating innovative business models and products which fit the needs of the Chinese market and customers. In May 2023 she was appointed as the Regional President of China. After 6-year P&L leader in China enabling profitable growth, Zhen moved to Europe this May to facilitate new business opportunities with Chinese car companies outside of China.
Before joining Magna, Zhen worked at Bird & Bird in Düsseldorf of Germany and General Electric (China) Co., Ltd in Shanghai. She has extensive experience in the investment, innovation and management of global company, and actively promoted the exchange, standardization and protection of cutting-edge technologies and intellectual property. After entering the automotive industry, she has also been a strong advocate to advance industry development with new technologies and innovations. Zhen is open-minded and has a keen sense of technology and associated business impact. She is a strong communicator and can effectively visualize the industry change, optimize internal resources, drive cross-function synergy and enhance core competitiveness. She has strong transformational leadership skills.
Zhen graduated from Xiangtan University in China with a bachelor law degree and Munich Intellectual Property Center in Germany with a master degree in Intellectual Property Law. Zhen completed the AMP Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2018 and the course of Competing in the Age of AI in 2025. She is currently the candidate of IMD Director Diploma.
