European Chamber: Improved Market Access and a More Level Playing Field are Necessary to Achieve China’s Transition to a More Balanced Growth Model
Beijing, 2nd September 2010. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China launched the 10th edition of its primary annual lobbying document, the European Business in China Position Paper 2010/2011.
This year’s Position Paper indicates that improved market access and a level-playing field are necessary to maintain the attractiveness of China as an investment destination for European businesses, but also for China to transition to a more balanced growth model. In order to fully contribute to this process, European businesses must receive fair treatment and increased market access.
China remains one of the most regulated markets on the globe. While the role of foreign investment and business in achieving a more balanced growth model in China has been widely recognized by the government, many obstacles remain for EU businesses to contribute fully to China’s balanced growth.
The Position Paper contains many suggestions to improve the predictability and consistency in the implementation of rules and regulations and to further increase policy consultation with relevant stakeholders, including industry. This year, the Position Paper suggestions’ aim at improving market access by addressing concerns relating to: first – restrictive and discriminatory certification and licensing schemes; second – IP policies impacting market access (such as ‘indigenous innovation’ policies); third – discriminatory government procurement practices.
Without taking measures to address the above market access issues, China risks missing an opportunity to achieve balanced growth, all the while giving pretexts to those in Europe who say China does not act as a responsible trading partner. Dialogue matched by action is key in defusing potential protectionism on all sides.
Jacques de Boisséson, President of the European Chamber, commented, “Over the past year, the European Chamber has witnessed too little progress in the economic opening-up process. China has achieved a robust recovery from the crisis and has acquired a new international economic stature. As a consequence it is in an ideal position to adopt reforms which will allow a more balanced growth. Such reforms should include consultation with industry stakeholders in order to expedite implementation of new measures. The Chamber calls for concrete actions confirm the recent positive trend towards openness and dialogue from Chinese authorities.”
”Drawing on the industry knowledge and expertise of the European Chamber’s over 1,400 member companies, this year’s Position Paper presents Chinese and European policy-makers with more than 380 recommendations in 34 individual papers. In addition, this year’s edition features eight “Local Focus Papers” highlighting the recent developments and specific issues faced by European companies across China. For the first time, this year’s Position Paper also includes recommendations for the EU authorities.
The European Business in China Position Paper 2010/2011 will be presented to government and regulatory agencies in China, to the European Commission and EU member states governments, and to a wide range of business organisations and companies in China and Europe. Following the public launch of the Position Paper across China, members of the European Chamber will travel to Europe to brief senior officials at the EU Commission and in European capitals.
The press conference invited several Medias located in Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou. The remote video-conference was applied in Chengdu and Guangzhou. Medias from the two cities raised questions online.
About the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China was founded by 51 European member companies on 19th October 2000. The European Chamber was established to give European businesses a common voice across different business sectors, nationalities and regions of China. Nearly ten years after its foundation, the European Chamber now has more than 1400 members and is active in eight cities: Beijing, Chengdu, Nanjing, Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou and Shenzhen), Shanghai, Shenyang and Tianjin. The Chamber is recognized by the European Commission and the Chinese authorities as the authoritative and independent voice of European business in China.
The European Chamber is built around 34 Working Groups and Forums, bringing together senior executives who engage in strategic discussions ranging from market access to the evolution of the business environment in China. Through regular dialogues with both the Chinese and European government, the Chamber conveys the operational business concerns of European companies and makes suggestions for improvements to policy-makers.
