The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced on March 27 that China is suspending entry into China for foreign nationals, effective since March 28. This decision requires businesses to now reconsider any upcoming international business travel for non-Chinese employees residing in China for fear of being barred from re-entry. It also contributes to longer-term uncertainty for large-scale forums with international participation and commercial activities requiring international...
China Market Intelligence
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April 1st, 2020
April 1st, 2020
China’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) launched a pilot program in early March aimed at improving transparency and impeding corruption and unfair competition in government procurement tenders. The program requires the finance departments of the central government, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to disclose their procurement intentions for projects to be implemented after July 1, 2020. While MOF’s program may improve several long-standing challenges, it will not solve all issues that foreign...
April 1st, 2020
With China’s economy still operating at less than 75 percent of pre-virus capacity and the official unemployment rate reaching its highest recorded level, the government’s attention has increasingly turned to policies that jumpstart business. These policies range from targeted relaxations of company obligations to large-scale efforts to facilitate foreign investment.
March 25th, 2020
On March 23, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) released the Draft of Working Measures for Processing Complaints of Foreign-Invested Companies (“draft measures”), an update to interim measures released in 2006. The draft measures aim to help foreign-invested companies officially raise complaints to administrative agencies and receive remedies and/or settlements within 60 working days. The draft measures would also clarify significantly the procedures and timeline for processing complaints...
March 23rd, 2020
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking comment on additional modification or elimination of tariffs on Section 301 medical care products. Last Friday, March 20, USTR issued a Request for Comments on Additional Modifications to the 301 Action to Address COVID-19, opening a comment period until at least June 25, though USTR may extend as appropriate and will be considering comments on a rolling basis.
March 18th, 2020
Conversations with USCBC member companies in the ICT sector point to the existence of an organization quietly working to shore up China’s ability to establish a technological ecosystem that is able to sustain itself solely on domestic components. While the existence of the alliance does not appear to have any major effects on US companies for the time being, this push for self reliance seemingly belies assurances from the Chinese government that policies calling for “secure and controllable...
March 18th, 2020
After years of under-regulation in online retail, China’s Ecommerce Law officially entered into force at the start of 2019. Although the law introduced sweeping reforms, the industry did not experience overnight change. China’s State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR), the supervisory authority behind the law, has instead maintained a steady drip of measures and policies designed to implement and clarify various provisions of the Ecommerce Law. The result has been a more predictable...
March 18th, 2020
Because of public concerns surrounding Wuhan’s handling of the COVID-19 epidemic, Beijing is sending new leadership to Hubei province. Many new local officials were nominated at local “two sessions” across China early this year, including in Shanghai and Jiangsu. The central government proceeded with leadership adjustments at the Liaison Offices in Hong Kong and Macau and the State Council’s Office of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs.
March 17th, 2020
On March 15, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) released drafts of both the “Implementation Plan on Enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Judgments” and “Guidelines on Enforcement of IP Rights Judgments” for public comment, which will be due by May 15. With the release of the two drafts, China appears to have met its commitment under Article 1.28 of the Phase One agreement to publish detailed work plans on how it will improve and ensure expeditious enforcement of court judgments on...
March 4th, 2020
This year holds some important legislative milestones for the National People’s Congress (NPC)—China’s parliament. Based on what the NPC has said will likely be on its 2020 legislative work plan, key laws governing China’s IP environment, cybersecurity framework, and export control regime will undergo additional review and revision this year. Any changes the NPC makes to these laws could have a significant impact on companies’ near-term operations and long-term perspectives on the China...
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Phase One Tracker
We are tracking over 150 commitments—several of which had never been offered before—on items ranging from market access to improving intellectual property rights protection and administrative reforms.
USCBC In The News
Insider Q&A: ‘Everyone will suffer’ from US-China spat
| AP |
04/06/2020
Americans for Free Trade Letter
| Americans for Free Trade |
04/06/2020
COVID-19: Pandemic's impact on US economy
| CGTN |
03/27/2020
White House Weighs Tariff Delay
| NYTimes |
03/26/2020