On Friday January 8, 2021, AmCham China hosted an all-member Townhall meeting to discuss AmCham China’s 2021 Policy Priorities, advocacy, and messaging. Attended in person by nearly 80 participants representing a wide range of industries and segments of the AmCham China member community, the Townhall focused on a discussion of (1) what AmCham China’s Policy Priorities should focus on in 2021, (2) member recommendations for both the China and US governments to support the business community and improve bilateral relations, and (3) actionable recommendations as to how AmCham China can best continue to advance the interests of our members. The Policy Priorities represent a focus of AmCham China’s advocacy efforts and guide our conversations with the China government, US government, media, academics, and other stakeholders throughout the year. They provide an overarching framework for the many of the industry- and sector-specific recommendations that appear in our annual Business in China White Paper and Business Climate Survey and act as a foundation for longer-term engagement and dialogue.
Townhall participants acknowledged the economic shock caused by COVID-19 has created great uncertainty in 2020 and that uncertainty will persist into 2021. China’s successful control of COVID-19 means that it is likely to be one of the only economies in 2020 that will register economic growth. Despite the challenges of holding in-person meetings with government officials in 2020 because of restrictions due to COVID-19, AmCham China members acknowledged they had enjoyed greater access to and opportunity to engage with the Chinese government in 2020. Continuing this improved level of access and finding new ways to engage with government regulators, ministries, and agencies in 2021 will continue to be a priority. Looking forward, members await the publication of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and are focused on understanding how foreign-invested enterprises can support China’s “Dual Circulation” economic model. Finally, members noted that given the events of 2020 including COVID-19, the Phase One Agreement, and the US election, among others, it is important to conduct an annual review of AmCham China’s Policy Priorities to ensure that they appropriately reflect operating conditions on the ground and the sentiment of our member companies. Feedback from the Townhall will be used to formulate AmCham China’s 2021 Policy Priorities document which is expected to be finalized just after Chinese New Year.
The 2020 Policy Priorities are: (full document available here)
- Rebuilding Trust through Concrete Actions Leading to Greater Transparency and Evenhandedness of Regulatory Processes
- Promoting Development through Policies of National Treatment and Competitive Neutrality
- Stimulating Innovation through Global Cooperation and Intellectual Property Protection
Written by Andrew Corey Scott