AmCham-China 2010 Recommendations Focus on National Treatment

USA - English

• USA - English

BEIJING, April 26 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- With the global economy beginning to emerge from a long recession, and China enjoying robust growth even as it faces several challenges, the American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic China (AmCham-China) today released its 2010 White Paper on the State of American Business in China (White Paper). A major theme in the document highlights the need for increased focus on ensuring national treatment for foreign-invested companies in China.

The 2010 White Paper reflects US companies' positive overall outlook on the Chinese economy, as well as growing concern on market access in the future, as well as completing the transition to a market economy. Based on the views and experiences of its members working and living in China, the report-AmCham- China's 12th annual edition-highlights areas that could hinder China's economic development as it moves beyond the downturn. Among the issues AmCham- China identifies are opening government procurement and innovation markets, and promoting national treatment for foreign companies.

"We have seen the Chinese government engaging us on issues like energy and innovation policy," AmCham-China President Christian Murck said. "We are optimistic that the recommendations that we are publishing will help progress towards tangible improvements."

The American business community has been paying careful attention to China's policy direction on these issues as it closes in on 10 years of inclusion in the WTO. "China did a good job of living up to its explicit WTO commitments," said Mr. Murck. "We hope that the government will now go beyond these and meet commitments that have no deadline, like joining the Agreement of Government Procurement."

This year's White Paper also marks the first year that AmCham-China tracked year-on-year progress for the top recommendation in each industry chapter. Of last year's 41 top recommendations, 11 received either a four or five, indicating partial or full resolution of the issue. Issues remain, but steady progress has been made.

About the American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China:

AmCham-China is a national non-profit organization representing the interests of some 2,600 companies and individuals doing business throughout China. Headquartered in Beijing, it has chapters in Dalian, Central China (Wuhan) and Tianjin. For more information about the organization, visit: http://www.amchamchina.org .

About AmCham-China's White Paper:

The White Paper is AmCham-China's most important annual policy document. It is widely distributed and referred to by officials in the Chinese and US governments and will be used by AmCham-China as the basis for policy discussions and dialogue for the next 12 months. In addition to input from AmCham-China members, this year's White Paper includes important, select contributions from AmCham Shanghai and AmCham-Southwest China. Download a copy of the 2010 White Paper at: http://www.amchamchina.org/whitepaper2010 .

    For media inquiries, contact:

     Ulan Tuya
     Media Relations Manager, AmCham-China
     Tel:   +86-10-8519-0835
     Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Chamber of Commerce in China