US companies in China have reported marginal improvements in business conditions, but inconsistent coronavirus restrictions across the country continue to pose a challenge to supply chains and production, the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) said on Thursday.
“Each of these measures is a step in the right direction, but more streamlining is needed,” said Colm Rafferty, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in China.
Pre-departure testing for people headed to China has eased slightly in several countries in recent weeks. “Each of these measures is a step in the right direction, but more streamlining is needed,” said Mr Colm Rafferty, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in China.
AmCham China confirmed China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the process of removing the requirement to obtain a PU letter, or invitation letter, before applying for certain types of visas at relevant Chinese embassies or consulates abroad, according to a notice AmCham China sent to its members seen by the Global Times on Friday.
Surveys from AmCham China and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China show revenues are down. Maybe what’s not captured in these surveys is the level of unease that people have.
Michael Hart, President of AmCham China responded to CNBC, ‘It’s likely going to take at least a month to get supply chains up running again. A lot of our members are reassessing and looking over the state of their operations, including inventory, components, and the readiness of equipment.’
Meanwhile, a survey published by the American Chamber of Commerce in China this month shows that more than 50% of American businesses have either delayed or decreased their investments in China due to recent outbreaks and repeated lockdowns.
据报道，中国美国商会在白皮书中表示：“我们反对任何试图使美中关系完全脱钩的行为。” 报告称，华盛顿和北京应该优先在工作层面进行沟通，和双边的企业界进行接触，重视落实计划的真正战略，而不是为了接触而接触。白皮书称：“国家安全行动应该尽量减少对贸易的限制，应该扩大关税豁免项目以推动贸易，这对双方都是有利的。”
汪文斌说道，中国美国商会发布的白皮书指出，美国企业坚决反对美中关系彻底脱钩，认为脱钩将使两国在外资方面蒙受巨大损失，没有人能在这场博弈中成为赢家。“希望美方认真倾听美国企业发出的理性务实声音，本着相互尊重、和平共处，合作共赢的精神，与中方相向而行，推动中美关系早日回到健康稳定发展的正确轨道。”
With China being a top market priority for nearly two-thirds of the chamber’s member companies, Colm Rafferty, the chamber’s chairman, said its members believe that a decoupling of the US and China economies is in neither country’s economic interest.