On Monday, April 18, AmCham China Chairman Colm Rafferty and Vice Chair Gloria Xu attended an in-person roundtable with Minister Wang Wentao of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and his colleagues, where we explained the business challenges our member companies are facing due to recent COVID-19 outbreaks in different parts of China.
The open and constructive discussion centered on topics of importance to the business community, including supply chain logistics, cross-border personnel movement, return-to-work timeline and protocols, policy outlook, and supplies for employees and families in lockdowns.
AmCham China provided an overview of the specific key issues raised by member companies in the recent flash survey conducted by AmCham China and AmCham Shanghai. We then offered support to the government in the following areas: Relay reliable and timely information from the Chinese government to the American business community, provide practical on-the-ground insights to Chinese policymakers, support the donation of relief goods and services from member companies, and explore ways to help to ensure a steady supply of daily necessities to the Chinese and expatriate staff of member companies. We also raised the issue that some apps essential in providing help to those in China either do not function in other languages or do not work with foreign passports, offering to help facilitate communication in that area. Finally, we advocated for access to foreign vaccines.
Minister Wang welcomed the information we shared and stressed that China’s economy remained on a solid footing and that China was committed to continued reform and opening. He explained the reasoning behind China’s Dynamic Zero-COVID policy and promised to pass our recommendations to relevant central government ministries and local governments. Furthermore, he said that China will take stronger measures to protect the supply chain and businesses.
We want thank our membership for the feedback that you provided to AmCham China through our annual China Business Climate Survey, White Paper, and flash surveys. That information is critical in advocating on your behalf in all key meetings like this. AmCham China is committed to work on your behalf to find solutions during this challenging time.