Business group: Companies in China want 'clarity' after security rule changes, raids on consultants
A business group says foreign companies in China want “greater clarity” about changes in China’s cybersecurity and other rules and how the ruling Communist Party will enforce them after they were rattled by raids on consulting firms
BEIJING (AP) — Foreign companies in China are uncertain about what they are allowed to do following police raids on consulting firms and want “greater clarity” about how newly expanded national security and other rules will be enforced, a foreign business group said Tuesday.
The British Chamber of Commerce in China said a survey of its members found they are more optimistic following December's lifting of anti-virus controls that blocked most travel into and out of China. It said they want to invest but are waiting for steps to “restore the trust and certainty” in China amid tension with Europe and Washington and official plans to promote economic self-reliance.
“If there is greater clarity and greater certainty, then we believe that companies will commit more to China,” said the chamber chairman, Julian MacCormac, at a news conference. Some 70% of companies “are really waiting to see” how conditions develop before taking action.
President Xi Jinping's government says foreign companies are welcome and is trying to encourage them to invest more. But they are uneasy following the expansion of national security and other rules with little explanation and official plans to create competitors to global suppliers of processor chips and other technology, sometimes using subsidies and market barriers that have strained relations with the European Union, Washington and other trading partners.
