CoreNet Global Member Profile -- Christopher Wu

Christopher Wu Envisions Shanghai as Top-Growth Market

For Christopher Wu, Senior Manager of Planning and Development of Shui On Properties Ltd., the corporate real estate market in China is like a "9 year-old child." He feels that while the market is rapidly expanding, it lacks the maturity and complexity of most markets, especially in terms of education and training.

With China regarded as the world's next major growth market, Wu sees a promising future for CoreNet Global. "Shanghai is one of the fastest growing chapters in the world. In Shanghai, the corporate real estate market moves exceedingly fast and things change very quickly. The daily challenge is to keep on top of it by knowing the market and suppliers. At the same time, you must plan ahead while remaining flexible."

Maintaining a reliable network is one way Wu believes this daily challenge can be conquered. A member of IDRC for about three years, Wu now serves as Vice Chair of the China Chapter in Shanghai. He looks to CoreNet Global for support in raising the level of education, knowledge, and professionalism within the industry.

"There is no other organization in China for corporate real estate besides CoreNet Global. We need to continue to build a community where people can interact, learn from each other, and have that information useful to them on a daily basis. With CoreNet Global, there is a very strong community and I think that is extremely important. That is something we treasure a lot in the China Chapter."

An additional problem facing Wu is the shortage of talent in China in the corporate real estate market. He believes a fast track program could greatly benefit the chapter.

"A very short burst of education-a fast track program-would suit our chapter very well. The need is to do something quickly, which would give the chapter's leadership the ability to champion it and subsequently follow up with longer, more in-depth programs. It is not just about building roads and buildings. It is about raising the level of people's knowledge, expertise, and sophistication within the industry."

With a small group of colleagues and very valuable contributors along the way, Wu actually started the Shanghai Chapter. He is encouraged to see that plans are under way to bring a more formalized education track to Asia, as he feels Shanghai has great potential to become one of the big international real estate markets in the next 15 years. As a member of the host committee for the Global Summit held in Shanghai this past March, Wu recognized how a Global Summit can raise awareness of the benefits of CoreNet Global, starting with knowledge sharing and content networking, and extending to chapter development and programming.

"It was a huge blessing for the Chapter to host the summit. Existing members who have not attended other summits could see what CoreNet Global is all about. And at the same time we were able to show other members what we are doing here. It put the chapter on the map."

Though he was born in Hong Kong, Wu has origins to Shanghai. He began his studies at a young age at boarding schools in the UK, eventually receiving both his Bachelor's and Master's Degree from the City University of London. He is currently active in both the British and Hong Kong Chambers of Commerce and works with the Institute of Economic Development and the Institute of Marketing. An avid yet "hopeless" golfer, Wu dreams of getting out to the golf course weekly. He enjoys scouting out fun things to do and see in Shanghai, and especially enjoys trying new restaurants.

"I have one message in general about Shanghai. I see a lot of people and companies that consider coming to Shanghai and relocating. But businesses started in Shanghai and run remotely from elsewhere do not work. So don't come and visit Shanghai often. Come and stay."