China

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Background

The top issues facing U.S. companies engaged in our deep, complex and immensely important trade and investment relationship with China include: intellectual property rights protection, investment, regulatory and innovation policy, tax, responsible business conduct, and policy related to environmental, health and safety standards.

Objectives

This committee provides a forum for business representatives, U.S. government officials and China experts from multilateral institutions to advance projects in areas of high priority to the U.S. business community. It also serves as a focal point for cooperation with USCIB’s sister business organizations in China: The China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), the Chinese affiliate of the ICC, and the China Enterprise Confederation (CEC), the Chinese member of the IOE.

Current Priorities

· Lead U.S. business engagement in OECD initiatives with China, providing input to OECD work on responsible business conduct, investment, regulatory, innovation, agricultural and environmental issues.

· Build stronger alliances and engage with CCOIC and CEC to discuss with U.S. business issues of common concern, such as on corporate social responsibility and energy and climate change issues.

Chair

Clarence Kwan

National Managing Partner, U.S. Chinese Services Group

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Vice Chairs

Jianmei Feng

Counsel, Public Policy

GE China

Richard “Tad” Ferris, Jr.

Partner

Holland & Knight LLP

Staff Contacts

Justine Bareford
Manager - China, EU and APEC Affairs

(212) 703-5062 or jbareford@uscib.org

Kate Whitelaw

Program Assistant

(212) 703-5082 or kwhitelaw@uscib.org

Subcommittee/Working Group:

China Environment Task Force and APEC

· Engage U.S. business in government to government processes, including the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) and Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), as well as with OECD ambassadors and officials working on China-related projects on priority issues to business.

· Monitor legislative and regulatory developments in the National People’s Congress and the central government’s five-year plan and revise priorities as appropriate after early 2008 State Council and NPC legislative plan.

· Provide business views on China’s progress toward implementing its WTO accession obligations.

· Actively contribute to industry coalitions following China-related legislation in the U.S. Congress.

· Address issues surrounding global product recalls through exploring possible work warnings surveys or public private partnerships for product quality assurance; and follow developments in Invest in America initiative.

· Support private sector participation in the China Employment Forum, which is a forum organized by the ILO and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the People's Republic of Chinathat addresses the future effects of globalization on the Chinese labor force, as well as other elements of the ILO’s on-going program of cooperation with China.

· Build an interactive and easily manipulated USCIB database of U.S. business issues in China.

· Promote usage of the ATA Carnet to facilitate U.S. trade and investment in China.

Recent Accomplishments and Statements

· Provided business views to the U.S. government on China’s progress towards implementing its WTO accession obligations, progress on intellectual property right protection, and standards outreach.

o Final USCIB Submission on China’s Compliance with its WTO Commitments (2009; 2008; 2007; 2006; 2005; 2004)

o Final USCIB Submission on China IPR Provincial Review

o Final USCIB Submission on the “Special 301” Out-of-Cycle Review on China

· Provided U.S. business views to the following OECD China programs:

o OECD’s enhanced engagement with China

o OECD Innovation and R&D Symposium

o OECD M&A Symposium in Beijing

o OECD China Economic Survey

· Provided business views and received briefings on bilateral U.S.-China discussions (SED, JCCT)

o Final USCIB Suggestions on JCCT 2009 Priorities

o Final USCIB Suggestions on JCCT 2006 Priorities

· Followed China-related legislation and provided study on benefits of services trade with China for the U.S. Congress

o Association letters concerning China’s Indigenous Innovation Accreditation Policy to the Chinese Government and to U.S. Cabinet members

o Coalition letter to the House Ways and Means Committee regarding H.R. 1229, the Nonmarket Economy Trade Remedy Act

o US Council Foundation Study on the Benefits of Services Trade with China

o USCIB letter to majority and minority leaders in the U.S. House and Senate on pending draft U.S. legislation concerning Chinese currency

· Provided U.S. business input to draft Chinese laws on anti-monopoly and Chinese government procurement practices

o USCIB Comments on Chinese anti-monopoly law

· Sponsored events focused on specific trade and investment issues in the bilateral relationship and global trade and investment issues. Events include:

o A reception commemorating the Fifth Anniversary of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2006.

o A debriefing by UNCTAD official on 2007 investment survey and findings.

o A briefing with a high-level Chinese delegation on intellectual property rights protection.

o A co-sponsored luncheon featuring Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China.