New York, N.Y., September 20, 2007 – China has made significant efforts to meet its obligations under the terms of its accession to the World Trade Organization, but concerns remain on compliance issues, according to a leading industry group.
In its annual review of China’s progress under its WTO accession terms, the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents hundreds of multinational companies, also praised the U.S. and Chinese governments for working to resolve bilateral trade frictions.
“The U.S.-China relationship is complex and multi-faceted, and our members have a direct and important stake in this engagement,” said USCIB President Peter M. Robinson. “We believe China is making some progress on its WTO commitments, but still has a way to go on many fronts. We appreciate that the United States and China are approaching these issues in a spirit of collaboration and partnership.“
The USCIB statement identified a number of areas warranting further efforts by Beijing to ensure full compliance with its WTO accession requirements. Among these were a continued lack of transparency in rulemaking and in the judiciary, insufficient notice of new or proposed laws, unfair treatment of foreign firms in certain industries, and the continued inadequacy of intellectual property protection in China.
In addition, USCIB called on China to work toward sounder regulations governing such industries as chemicals, postal and express delivery services, and telecommunications.
Mr. Robinson said USCIB would continue to support the work of the joint U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, as well as the bilateral Strategic Economic Dialogue, slated to reconvene in Beijing this December.
He also pledged active support for ongoing work in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to promote regulatory reform in China and pursue enhanced engagement with the country. USCIB is the American affiliate of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, which serves as the voice of business in the 30-nation organization.
The USCIB statement was submitted to U.S. Trade Representative, Susan Schwab by Mr. Robinsonand Clarence Kwan, national managing partner of Deloitte & Touche’s Chinese services group and chair of USCIB’s China Committee.
USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce in which business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare and protection of the environment. Its membership includes more than 300 U.S. companies, professional service firms and associations whose combined annual revenues exceed $3.5 trillion. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade.
