On March 1, AmCham China launched the 25th annual China Business Climate Survey (BCS) Report. The report highlighted a slightly pessimistic outlook for US companies in China, underpinned by the declining willingness of AmCham China members to increase investment in China. The report also outlined members’ concerns about their companies’ financial performance and expectations regarding China’s openness and business climate.
The Wall Street Journal – Fewer American Companies See China as an Investment Priority
“U.S. companies are also more pessimistic about their financial outlook there, with more than half saying they didn’t turn a profit last year and more than a third saying their China revenue fell from a year earlier, according to the survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China.”
Bloomberg – Majority of US Firms Don’t See China as Priority for Investment
“A year ago, 60% of companies said China was the top or a top 3 investment priority and this year that’s fallen to 45%,” according to Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. “China is falling in the rankings as a place for people to invest globally. It’s still important but not one of the top destinations for the majority of companies.”
Bloomberg – US Companies in China Are ‘Exhausted,’ AmCham China Says
“Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, discusses the results of its annual business climate survey. He speaks with Shery Ahn and Haidi Stroud-Watts on “Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia.””
South China Morning Post – China no longer a top 3 investment destination for most US firms amid mounting business challenges
“AmCham in China said on Wednesday that for the first time in the 25-year history of its Business Climate Survey, China was no longer considered by most of its member companies as a top-three market, amid growing concerns about the country’s policy uncertainties and bleak bilateral ties.”
Reuters – U.S. businesses in China are more pessimistic about prospects -survey
“”Last year was particularly challenging for our member companies, as they dealt with China’s economic slowdown, COVID control measures, and ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with various new US and China-related regulations,” said AmCham China Chairman Colm Rafferty.
Rising U.S.-China tensions remain the top business challenge, cited by 66% of respondents, while 65% of members said they were “unsure or uncertain” that China will further open to foreign investment.”
Market Watch – Chinese economic data paint an upbeat picture. U.S. companies operating in China are not buying it
““China is no longer regarded by American companies as the primary investment destination it once was,” said the American Chamber of Commerce in China, in its annual Business Climate Survey Report, released Wednesday.”
Financial Times – Chinese factory activity expands at fastest pace in more than a decade
“Enthusiasm for China’s economic reopening is not universally shared. A survey published by the American Chamber of Commerce in China on Wednesday revealed lingering pessimism among US companies, with 24 per cent saying they were considering moving manufacturing or sourcing out of the country, a 10 percentage point increase from last year.
Colm Rafferty, chair of AmCham China, said in a statement that bilateral relations between China and the US had become “increasingly complex for the American business community in China to navigate”.”
Global Times – Foreign businesses have strong expectations for China’s two sessions
“Michael Hart, AmCham China president, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the chamber is looking at China’s policy direction as leading positions at state institutions are confirmed, while it is also interested in a number of reform policies guiding the financial, internet and industrial sectors.
“We are starting to hear, I would say probably half a dozen US companies have said their CEOs are going to visit this spring. We are talking to a number of them about helping to brief their CEOs. When they come in, they’re going to visit their employees, their facilities and their customers, and they also want to talk to us about the overall sentiment,” Hart said.”
China Daily – MNCs reaffirm commitment to mainland market
“About 74 percent of the chamber’s members are maintaining operations in China, emphasizing a long-term commitment to the Chinese market.
They said that improved China-US relations are seen as vital for business growth and both the US and the Chinese governments have a critical role to play. Their priority suggestions for the US and China governments are to refrain from aggressive rhetoric and tit-for-tat actions toward each other to establish a floor under the deteriorating relationship.”
Hong Kong Economic Journal – 45%在華美企憂投資環境惡化 悲觀佔比急升 逾半不願加碼
“中國美國商會(AmCham China)發表調查顯示，在華美國企業對其內地業務前景愈來愈悲 觀，45%受訪者認為中國投資環境正惡化，按年升 31 個百分點，為過去 5 年來最高;55% 表示 2023 年沒有計劃擴大投資，甚至計劃減少在華業務的投資，按年增 21 個百分點，主 要原因包括內地政策環境的不確定性、預期中國經濟增長放緩，以及中美經貿關係不明 朗。”
第一财经 – 中国美国商会:逾七成会员企业没有转移供应 链的计划
“中国美国商会主席华刚林表示:“我们的目标是改善美资企业在中国的营商环境，并持续 推进中美两国建设性的和可持续性的经贸关系。”
中时新闻网 – 中国美国商会调查 逾半数美商不再视大陆为 首要投资地
“中国美国商会(AmCham China)1 日发布 2023 年度的《中国商务环境调查报告》，过半数 受访美商表示，中国大陆已不再是其首要或前三大的投资目的地，创下该调查有史以来最 大升幅。”
美国之音 VOA – 中國美國商會:過半數美商不再視中國為 首要投資地
“台北 — 中國美國商會(AmCham China)3 月 1 日發佈 2023 年度的《中國商務環境調查報 告》，過半數受訪美商表示，中國已不再是其首要或前三大的投資目的地，創該調查有史 以來最大升幅。根據報告，多數美商不打算撤出中國市場，但他們對去年的營收和獲利、 中國的經濟、投資和營商環境的前景，甚至美中關係的未來走勢，都瀰漫著悲觀情緒。對 此，觀察人士表示，隨著兩國地緣政治競逐的白熱化，在華外企所面臨的營商困境在未來 5 到 10 年內，很難好轉。”
财新周刊 Caixin – 美商会:逾七成在华美企无意移出供应链 但对华投资优先度明显变化
“商会总裁何迈可(Michael Hart)在 3 月 1 日的调查报告发布会上表示，虽然调查开展 时间是在中国防疫举措大幅松绑之前，但商会在 2023 年 2 月初又进行了一次快速调查，调 查结果和这份报告的结论类似，因此该报告基本上仍能够反映在华美企的最新看法。”
北京日报 – 中国美国商会总裁:中国市场对美企具不可替 代性
“中国是一个巨大的消费市场;经济增速虽然放慢，但仍以合理的速度增长。就生产制造和 供应链的规模而言，世界上目前没有任何地方可以取代中国。”回答北京日报客户端记者提 问时，中国美国商会总裁何迈可表示，对美国企业来说，中国市场仍然非常重要。“中国是 美国农产品和其他产品最大的出口市场之一。中国是一个聚集大量专业技术人才的地方， 拥有雄厚的人才储备，其中许多人有在美国或其他国家学习工作的经历，这对美国企业很 有吸引力。”
中国广播公司 – 美商 25 年來首次變心! 投資不再優先考 慮大陸
“「中國美國商會」主席華剛林(Colm Rafferty)表示，去年，也就是 2022 年，對美國商會
會員來說，格外具有挑戰性，除了需要因應中國大陸經濟減速，與大陸嚴格的封控措施之 外，還要努力確保美中雙方祭出的貿易相關規範。對在中國大陸的美國企業來說，確實相 當不容易。”