This episode contains segments on:
- China extends visa-free trial programme;
- China expands scope of anti-subsidy investigation into EU dairy imports;
- EU launches WTO case against China’s provisional tariffs on EU brandy imports;
- 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo.
Listeners are also welcome to join the 2024 Cybersecurity Conference on 29th November in Beijing to learn about the latest regulatory developments in the field of cybersecurity and data protection.
Contact:
We’d love to hear your feedback. Contact us at website@europeanchamber.com.cn.
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Read more:
China extends visa-free trial programme to 9 more countries
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202411/t20241122_11531285.html
https://www.ecns.cn/business/2024-11-23/detail-ihekectp0367196.shtml
China expands scope of anti-subsidy investigation into EU dairy imports
https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/myjjdc/art/2024/art_cb5fc3e80ff74dcd8cdfccf1f90caf18.html
EU launches WTO case against China’s provisional tariffs on EU brandy imports
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5848
2nd China International Supply Chain Expo
European Chamber event: 2024 Cybersecurity Conference
https://www.europeanchamber.com.cn/en/upcoming-events/26781/Cybersecurity_Conference_2024_2024
Transcript:
RUI: Hello and welcome to China ShortCuts,
MARIANN: the European Chamber’s weekly catchup on China’s business landscape.
RUI: This episode was recorded on 27th November 2024.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 22nd November, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the trial visa-free programme will be extended to the citizens of nine more countries, and the limit for the duration of stay lengthened.
MARIANN: Starting from 30th November, passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan will be able to travel to China without a visa. The visa-free trial programme, which has been extended until the end of 2025, now allows visitors from 38 countries to stay in China for up to 30 consecutive days, up from the previous 15-day limit.
According to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the country saw a huge uptick in inbound tourism this year: in the first three quarters of 2024, over 94 million tourists visited China, which marked a year-on-year increase of nearly 79 per cent.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 22nd November, the Trade Remedy and Investigation Bureau of China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that it is adding new items to its anti-subsidy investigation into dairy imports from the EU.
MARIANN: The notice attributes the decision to expand the scope of the investigation to the preliminary review and the consultations with the EU side. The new items added to the list include two more EU agricultural subsidy projects, and some offered on the member state level in France, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands. The Bureau also released the questionnaires used for the newly added items.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 25th November, the European Commission requested consultations at the World Trade Organization over China’s provisional anti-dumping tariffs on EU brandy imports.
MARIANN: The Commission warned that it would challenge the imposition of China’s provisional antidumping measures on EU brandy imports when these were first announced in October. At the time, the Commission called the move an “abuse” of trade defence instruments. China launched an anti-dumping probe into EU imports of brandy in January this year, citing complaints from its domestic industry as the reason. The EU side has been questioning the validity of the investigation from the beginning. China has 10 days to respond to the EU’s request for a WTO consultation, starting from 25th November. If the two sides fail to find a satisfactory solution, a WTO panel could be asked to make a decision about the case.
(MUSIC)
RUI: The second China International Supply Chain Expo opened on 26th November in Beijing with the theme ‘Connecting the World for a Shared Future’. The five-day event is hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
MARIANN: According to media reports, more than 600 companies registered to participate, with foreign exhibitors accounting for over 30 per cent of the total. The guest country of honour this year is Hungary, while the province of honour is Hubei, with the two co-organising a special conference to promote supply chain cooperation.
European Chamber President Eskelund had attended an exclusive roundtable with Premier Li Qiang a day before the expo opened, along with a select group of large, multinational companies. Premier Li used the opportunity to stress the benefits of a global division of labour and assure the gathering that China would continue to open its market further, while defending multilateral cooperation. Li also extolled the virtues of China’s complete industrial system and emphasised decarbonisation as a policy priority. President Eskelund also attended the China International Supply Chain Expo opening ceremony, during which Vice Premier Han Zheng delivered a keynote speech, which echoed the key points of Li’s roundtable address.
(MUSIC)
RUI: Over the past year, China has introduced a series of new regulations in the area of data security and cross-border data transfer. These include the Network Data Security Administrative Regulations and the Provisions on Promoting and Regulating Cross-border Data Flows, as well as national standards and guidelines on sensitive personal information identification. Free trade zones in Tianjin, Shanghai and Beijing have also issued negative lists or industry-based general data lists of cross-border data.
MARIANN: Looking ahead, work related to data classification and grading continues to advance, and regulations, such as personal information compliance audits and cybersecurity incident reporting, are still to be released. With the rapid, ongoing development of innovative technologies, new regulatory requirements will only continue to proliferate. As a result, companies operating in China will need to prepare to deal with emerging compliance challenges.
RUI: Join us on 29th November at the 2024 Cybersecurity Conference, where renowned experts, scholars and lawyers will discuss the latest regulatory developments in the field of cybersecurity and data protection to help companies better understand the relevant compliance requirements, as well as future development trends.
(MUSIC)
MARIANN: Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to tune in again next week.
RUI: In the meantime, please find useful links in the episode notes.