Squeezed by an economic downturn and the tepid pace of economic reforms, domestic Chinese companies share the concerns of US companies, who also face a more challenging operating environment in China, as indicated by an annual survey that measures challenges for domestic firms.

For many global companies, having a China base means more than just paving the way for greater access to the China market. Over 2,000 regional headquarters (RHQs), research centers, and other agencies have been established in China by multinational corporations (MNCs). The US-China Business Council (USCBC) frequently fields questions from member companies about the cost-benefit analysis for setting up a China RHQ to serve the company’s Asia-Pacific operations.

China remains a priority for American companies, despite the slowing economy and challenging business environment, but policy uncertainty continues to impact business confidence. These are among the findings in the latest US-China Business Council (USCBC) Member Survey report, conducted annually over the past 10 years.