Financial Times: A principal motivation for the European companies to partner up is to stay competitive in China and abroad. By co-operating with Chinese companies, they can still grow and learn from their partners. One important aspect is how to operate at so-called “China speed” — the ability of Chinese companies to develop new products three times faster than in Europe.
Most also agree the window of opportunity for these partnerships is fleeting. European companies believe they have about 18 months before most Chinese firms will learn the ropes by themselves…