International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and USCIB Chairman Terry McGraw met with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang in Beijing on July 29 to underscore the importance of incorporating the voice of Chinese companies into global economic governance forums.
McGraw held a series of meetings with Chinese government leaders and business officials seeking to secure the engagement of Chinese companies in ICC’s work to promote cross border trade and investment.
“ICC is the world business organization and our mission is to represent the views of international business to policymakers in key forums such as the G20, the World Trade Organization, the World Customs Organization and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,” he said. “China has the world’s second largest GDP and is critical player in the world economy. It is therefore essential that Chinese companies are involved in ICC’s international policy-making process.”
Wang welcomed McGraw’s support and spoke positively of the indispensable role played by ICC in promoting economic growth, global trade and investment, and in strengthening global economic governance.
“We wish to step up our cooperation between Chinese companies and ICC,” said Wang. “China is willing to draw upon your suggestions and I hope ICC will play an active role in China’s reform and increasing exchanges with Chinese business to create more opportunities for foreign cooperation with Chinese companies.”
Wang said the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) – which houses ICC China – will be responsible for maintaining the close and frequent interactions with ICC.
McGraw also pointed to China’s upcoming G20 presidency, beginning on December 1, and explained that Chinese business will have an increasingly important opportunity to help shape the G20 policy agenda. McGraw shared current Business 20 (B20) priorities under development for the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey in November, highlighting trade, investment, infrastructure, human capital and education as priorities for G20 consideration.
“ICC has historically conveyed business priorities to G20 Leaders, and has served as a strategic partner to national B20 hosts to develop policy recommendations for G20 consideration,” said McGraw. “ICC is committed to supporting the Chinese government and the Chinese business community in its preparations for hosting the G20 and we are investing now in our long-run work plan with ICC China and CCOIC.”
Jiang Zengwei, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) joined McGraw in the meeting with Wang.
“We highly value the role of ICC,” said Jiang. “As we grow the participation of Chinese companies in CCOIC, we will work closely with ICC for support on educating Chinese businesses and incorporating their views in critical international policy forums, including trade, investment and intellectual property.”
McGraw and Jiang agreed to a long-term program, featuring a growing number of ICC meetings in China, to develop CCOIC contributions to ICC international business policy.
ICC’s delegation to Beijing also included Cherie Nursalim, vice chairman of GITI Group; Sara Dai, president of Novozymes China; Zhang Yanling, Bank of China and member of ICC Executive Board; Cindy Braddon, vice president for international affairs, McGraw Hill Financial [now S&P Global]; Jeffrey Hardy, director, ICC G20 CEO Advisory Group; and Robert Milliner, senior director, Wesfarmers and B20 Australia Sherpa.
