The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), is pleased to announce that it has received official approval to set up a Representative Office as an overseas non-government organisation (ONGO) and can therefore resume its business operations in China.
WSET had to suspend business in the Chinese Mainland at the end of January 2021. Over the last 11 months, WSET has worked hard to meet the requirements for resuming business and has remained committed to the Chinese market.
Supporting its return to business in the Chinese Mainland, WSET is proud to announce the opening of its new office in Shanghai, adding to WSET’s global network of offices in London, Hong Kong SAR, and West Hartford (Connecticut, USA). WSET has also appointed Ms. Willa Yang as Chief Representative to head up its operations in China. Willa brings with her a rich breadth of experience having previously held leadership roles at Wine Australia’s China Office and the Australian Trade Commission as well as running her own wine consultancy business for several years.
Commenting on WSET’s return to business in the Chinese Mainland, Chief Executive Ian Harris said: “I am delighted that we are now officially approved to resume business in China and, through our network of course providers, we will be able to start offering our qualifications to students once more. I am extremely grateful to our 100 plus Chinese course providers and their students who have supported us over the last 11 months. WSET has a history of over 15 years of empowering drinks professionals and enthusiasts in China through wine, spirits and sake education. My team and I are excited to be able to continue our educational mission.”
WSET’s Chief Representative in China, Willa Yang commented: “It is a great honour to join the WSET team. We enter 2022 with excitement and anticipation of great things to come. China’s wine and spirit category has been in continual growth and the demand for our qualifications has never been greater. I look forward to working with our team in China, as well as our course providers, to lead the way in wine and spirits education in 2022 and beyond.”
WSET is now working closely with its course providers and the Chinese authorities and hopes that WSET courses and exams will restart following the Chinese New Year holiday period.
Main image: Willa Yang, Representative Officer - WSET China
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