This episode contains segments on the:
- China Development Forum 2025;
- State Council’s Opinions on Further Strengthening Trade Policy Compliance Efforts;
- Provisions on the Implementation of the Anti-foreign Sanctions Law; and
- Revised Regulations to Protect Payments to SMEs.
Listeners are also invited to an event on 1st April to hear Professor Da Wei, a renowned international relations expert, discuss United States-China relations and Trump 2.0.
Contact:
We’d love to hear your feedback. Contact us at website@europeanchamber.com.cn.
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Read more:
State Council’s Opinions on Further Strengthening Trade Policy Compliance Efforts
https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202503/content_7014874.htm
Provisions on the Implementation of the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law
https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202503/content_7015400.htm
Revised Regulations to Protect Payments to SMEs
https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202503/content_7015401.htm
European Chamber event: Exclusive Dialogue Featuring Prof. Da Wei
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 26th March 2025.
(MUSIC)
RUI: Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged wider market access to foreign executives gathered at the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2025, held in Beijing on 23rd March.
MARIANN: Li said that China will roll out further measures to ease the integration of foreign businesses into the Chinese market, noting their contributions to China’s development. He warned about the risks that protectionism and decoupling pose to globalisation and called on multinational enterprises to maintain their role in upholding the globalised economy. According to state media reports, the two-day event attracted over 80 foreign business executives, some of whom also held exchanges with China’s vice premier He Lifeng.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 21st March, the State Council issued guidelines on further improving trade policy compliance with World Trade Organization rules.
MARIANN: The document contains six key tasks and two safeguard measures. The first key task listed calls on the relevant authorities to conduct assessments of already formulated trade policies to ensure that they comply with WTO rules and China’s accession commitments. The guidelines state that such a compliance assessment should be a necessary step before the introduction of new trade policies. The document also highlights the need to respond to compliance concerns raised by other WTO members in connection with China’s trade policies. Conversely, it tasks the Ministry of Commerce with raising concerns about measures introduced by other WTO members that China deems non-compliant. The guidelines came into effect upon their public release.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 23rd March, the State Council issued implementing regulations for China’s anti foreign sanction law, which was passed in June 2021 amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.
MARIANN: The regulation comprises 22 articles that provide further details about some of the points stipulated by the law. For example, the regulations clarify some of the countermeasures that Chinese authorities can take against foreign individuals or organisations that impose discriminatory measures on Chinese nationals or organisations in an attempt to suppress or restrict them. Such countermeasures include the seizure or freezing of various types of property, which the implementing regulations specify as cash bank deposits, fund shares, equity, intellectual property or property rights. It also defines the scope of other necessary measures mentioned in the law as including but not limited to prohibiting or limiting investments in China as well as exports of relevant items, and the exchange of data and personal information.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 24th March, the State Council published revised regulations to guarantee payments to small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs, which will go into effect on 1st June.
MARIANN: The new edition is a revision of regulations issued in 2020. It comprises 37 points, including some calling for enhanced supervision and more severe punishments for illegal acts related to non-payment or delayed payment to deter such behaviour. A key detail is that the revised regulations set a payment deadline for institutions and large businesses that purchase goods or services from an SME: they have to pay no later than within 60 days of delivery. Further points include calls for enhancing mechanisms for supervision and settling of complaints to ensure timely payments.
(MUSIC)
RUI: The new Trump administration has garnered significant attention from global markets due to its potential impact on international trade, economic policies, and geopolitical dynamics. As one of the world’s most influential economies, the United States under a Trump presidency could introduce changes that ripple through global financial systems and international relations. Understanding the implications of these changes is crucial for businesses, policymakers, and anyone with a vested interest in the global economy.
MARIANN: As the world’s largest economy and the fastest-growing major economy, respectively, the interactions between the US and China shape not only their bilateral ties but also the trajectory of the global order.
RUI: Join us on 1st April for an exclusive dialogue with Professor Da Wei, a renowned expert in international relations with a research focus on US-China relations. Professor Da will share his perspectives on the most notable aspects of Trump’s second term and on how China’s views on the second Trump administration will shape the country’s strategy and policy considerations.
(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.