2018 Annual China Employment Law Seminar
The US-China Business Council (USCBC) and Baker McKenzie FenXun held the Annual China Employment Law Seminar in Beijing on April 25, 2018.
The event included the most important HR issues facing companies in China today. This included updates on major changes in Chinese employment law and panel discussions on how to stock option disputes or sexual harassment complaints. The event also included case law updates on how the courts in practice handle various challenging issues in the employment law realm.
The Employment Law Seminar featured a prominent labor judge just recently resigned from the Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Court, who provided her own thoughts on major difficult issues that employers frequently come across in HR management, along with her advice on how to resolve these issues practically.
45th Anniversary DC Open House
The US-China Business Council hosted an open house on Tuesday, April 24, at their DC office in honor of their 45th Anniversary. Founded on April 24, 1973, USCBC was originally created by a group of American companies to act as a bridge to better navigate a cautiously opening Chinese economy. To see the full announcement by USCBC President John Frisbie, please click here.
Many thanks to all of our members who came to celebrate! Pictures from the event can be found here.
Policy Dialogue with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao
The US-China Business Council (USCBC) and AmCham China were pleased to host US Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine L. Chao while she was in Beijing for the ninth annual U.S.-China Transportation Forum from April 24th to April 26th, 2018. The U.S.-China Transportation Forum serves as a high-level bilateral government-to-government dialogue intended to develop solutions to common multimodal transportation challenges.
USCBC and AmCham hosted two separate events with Secretary Chao. On April 24th, Secretary Chao participated in a policy dialogue, which was an opportunity to hear from government and business experts about key regulatory and industry developments related to transportation.
On April 25, USCBC and AmCham hosted an industry breakfast with Secretary Chao. The breakfast was an opportunity to raise key concerns and to hear from Secretary Chao about developments in Washington. More information on the breakfast can be found here.
America First and the China Dream: Navigating an Era of Rising Nationalism
With rising nationalist sentiment in both the US and China, companies are looking at possible implications for their business in China. Rising nationalism and trade tensions could expose U.S.-headquartered multinationals to brand and reputational scrutiny and have the potential to impact business in China. How should businesses navigate these dynamics? To what extent should companies be preparing? And how should MNCs be engaging governments — and other stakeholders — in the U.S. and China?
The US-China Business Council held a lunch briefing with Mr. James W. Robinson, managing director of APCO Worldwide's Shanghai office, who discussed how companies should be considering their positions against a backdrop of rising nationalism both in the US and China.
Discussion with Clete Willems, NSC
USCBC hosted a roundtable event in its DC office on April 11 with Clete Willems, Special Assistant to the President for International Trade, Investment and Development at the National Security Council. The discussion had a robust turnout, and focused on recent developments in the US-China trade relationship.
Membership Briefing with U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad
The US-China Business Council (USCBC) and the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) were pleased to host a semi-annual briefing and dialogue with the US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad. In the midst of ongoing bilateral trade tensions, this conversation came at the perfect time to better understand the future trajectory of US-China Relations.
Companies provided questions in advance, which were forwarded to the Ambassador’s staff for his preparation.
US-China Tensions and the Business Bottom Line: A Discussion with Neal Wolin
Growing US-China trade tensions are having a practical and operational impact on both American companies in China, and on Chinese companies looking to invest in the US.
USCBC hosted an afternoon briefing led by Neal Wolin to help companies better understand the challenges posed by government action. Neal served as the Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury Department between 2009 and 2013, and is currently global CEO of the Brunswick Group, a leading communications firm advising companies on business critical issues. Neal shared insights on the Trump administration's attitudes towards China as well as on CFIUS and other investment controls informed by his previous leading role at the Treasury Department.
Government Affairs Roundtable: Section 301 Implementation (In-Person Discussion)
USCBC hosted a roundtable event on April 6 to discuss the recent announcements under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This trade action is likely to have wide-ranging effects on US businesses and consumers. The discussion addressed the next steps in the process for implementation and the Chinese reaction to the announcement.
Government Affairs Conference Call: Section 301 Implementation (Conference Call for China-based Executives)
USCBC hosted a conference call for China-based executives on April 5 and 6 to discuss the recent announcements under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This trade action is likely to have wide-ranging effects on US businesses and consumers. The discussion addressed the next steps in the process for implementation and the Chinese reaction to the announcement.
Managing Crises in a New Era: Best Practices for MNCs
Recent rebukes from Chinese regulators have prompted many foreign companies to review their corporate websites and ensure that the classification of place names is consistent with international diplomatic protocol and Chinese regulations. Some China-based staff are considering how to best communicate these requirements to their colleagues or vendors overseas, who may not be familiar with Chinese rules and regulations. At the same time, a number of companies are revaluating their government relations and corporate affairs strategy to minimize future risk in a politically fraught landscape.
The US-China Business Council hosted experts Teresa Lu, Senior Director at APCO Worldwide, Scott Kronick, President and CEO of Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific, and Douglas Dew, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Corporate and Public Affairs Practice, Chair of Burson-Marsteller China Issues and Crisis Group, for a discussion on the recent controversies and best practices in PR & Corporate Affairs to address sensitive issues going forward.