On March 12, Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of China’s Commerce Ministry, held a conference call with AmCham China to answer questions from member companies about the difficulties they were experiencing during the progress of the prevention and control of COVID-19 and the resumption of production and operations.
The meeting was chaired jointly by Wang Shouwen and AmCham China Chairman Greg Gilligan. About 400 members participated in the call.
Vice Minister Wang Shouwen, together with leaders from 11 central ministries and commissions, including the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the National Health Commission, the General Administration of Customs, the State Taxation Administration, the General Administration of Market Supervision, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and the General Administration of Drug Supervision, worked together to answer questions from member companies across various areas, including: economic impact, assistance policies for affected enterprises, consistency of central and local policies, shortage of employees encountered by foreign companies during resumption of production, lack of epidemic prevention supplies, supply chain and logistics transportation, and more.
Vice Minister Wang Shouwen expressed his gratitude to AmCham China and its member companies for their contributions to China’s fight against the epidemic. Wang said that, at present, China’s epidemic situation is constantly improving, and production and living is going back to normal. He added that the impact of the epidemic on China’s economy is limited and controllable, and the positive trend of China’s economy will not change in long term. He said he further hoped that US companies will strengthen their confidence and continue to increase investment in China.
AmCham China appreciates the Chinese government’s offer to hold the call with members, which followed a lengthy first call between Wang Shouwen and the Chamber’s Chairman and President earlier this month. We will continue to maintain close contact with the central and local governments, provide timely feedback on the needs and suggestions of our members, build bridges through communication, and help companies to resume full production and operations as soon as possible.