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USCBC Annual Board Delegation Visit to China: October 30-31, 2013
Board members from the US-China Business Council will meet with senior Chinese government officials and business leaders to promote American market access in China and expand US-China commercial relations
WASHINGTON, DC, October 30, 2013 – The US-China Business Council (USCBC) today launched its annual board delegation visit to China, where members will meet with senior government officials and Chinese business leaders to promote American market access in China and expand US-China commercial relations.
China is roughly a $300 billion market for American companies— and would be much larger without the market access barriers currently facing American companies. USCBC, which represents 220 companies selling American goods and services in China, will advocate for the lowering of such barriers in its meetings with senior officials.
In addition to meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and senior Chinese government officials at key economic agencies, USCBC will co-host with the Boao Forum the fourth annual US-China CEO dialogue in Beijing. These sessions are vital to enhancing business opportunities and advancing the economies of both nations.
USCBC is celebrating its 40th anniversary of creating a US-China commercial relationship that brings opportunities and benefits to American companies, workers, farmers, and, the US economy. The annual board delegation visit is a vital part of the ongoing engagement between senior American and Chinese leaders.
USCBC President John Frisbie issued the following statement:
“With USCBC celebrating 40 years of operations in 2013, this year’s annual board delegation visit to Beijing is as important as ever. There is no doubt that the US-China commercial relationship has progressed greatly since USCBC opened its doors 40 years ago. In 1973, the United States was still six years away from reestablishing diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China, and China was more than 20 years away from joining the World Trade Organization.
“Today, China is the United States’ second-largest trading partner and third-largest export market. Now the US-China trade relationship strengthens America’s economy and creates well-paying jobs for American workers across the country. In 2012, China purchased nearly $109 billion in US goods, making China a vital and growing market for US products. As China’s economy and middle class continue to expand, China will remain a significant market for a wide selection of US goods and services.
“The delegation’s visit comes at an important time just before of the Chinese Communist Party plenum opening on November 9 that will focus on the next stage of economic reforms. During our meetings, USCBC will advocate that American companies incorporated in China should be treated equally, regardless of ownership. USCBC will also stress that both sides must continue to work together in promoting commercial cooperation and opposing protectionist trade and investment policies.
“Progress on market access issues can be frustratingly slow. Nonetheless, USCBC believes the business community must play an important role in identifying the policies that are challenging to economic success and recommending specific ways to address them. As part of this USCBC board delegation visit, USCBC will continue to use a solutions-focused approach in our advocacy with both Chinese government officials and business leaders.”
The US-China Business Council (USCBC) is a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of 220 American companies that do business with China. Celebrating 40 years of operations in 2013, USCBC has provided unmatched information, advisory, advocacy, and program services to its membership. Through its offices in Washington, DC; Beijing; and Shanghai, USCBC is uniquely positioned to serve its members’ interests in the United States and China.
