This episode contains segments on:

• Measures to upgrade hotel services for foreign nationals;
• China’s industrial profits in the first half of 2024;
• Analysis of national electricity supply and demand in the first half of 2024; and
• China’s decision to stop publishing daily global stock flows.

Also, listeners are invited to an event on 7^th August, either online or in Shanghai, on the implications of the Third Plenum for European businesses in China.

Contact:

We’d love to hear your feedback. Contact us at website@europeanchamber.com.cn.

Follow the European Chamber on LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat (europeanchamber), and sign up for our newsletter here, to get notified on new episodes.

Read more:

Notice on Several Measures to Provide High-level Services to the Outside World and Facilitate the Accommodation of Overseas Personnel

https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfb/rcxwfb/art/2024/art_6e5fd351d24c460cad01512ce52d3f83.html

China industrial profits, H1 (NBS)

https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202407/t20240727_1955855.html

Analysis and Forecast Report on the National Electricity Supply and Demand Situation in the First Half of 2024 (China Electricity Council)

https://cec.org.cn/detail/index.html?3-335294

China to Stop Publishing Daily Global Stock Flows in Mid-August (Bloomberg)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-29/china-to-stop-publishing-daily-global-stock-flows-in-mid-august

European Chamber event:

https://www.europeanchamber.com.cn/en/upcoming-events/26378/_Hybrid_China_s_New_Economic_Blueprint_Unveiled_During_the_Third_Plenum_Implications_for_European_Business_in_China

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 31^st July 2024.

(MUSIC)

RUI: On 25^th July, China’s Ministry of Commerce, along with seven other ministries and government organisations, issued a joint notice containing eight measures aimed at facilitating accommodation and improving other services for travellers from overseas. 

MARIANN: The Notice was released two months after an official statement released in May that called on hotels across the country to accept foreign guests. The May statement was issued in response to online complaints from foreign travellers who reported having been refused rooms on the grounds that the hotels did not have the necessary qualification to provide accommodation to foreign nationals or simply did not know what the required procedure was.

RUI: The eight measures contained in the notice specify some of the steps to be taken by local authorities, hotel operators and online registration platforms in order to optimise services for foreign travellers. These steps include preparing front-desk personnel to handle registration and other services, installing signs in English and improving the foreign language version of hotel booking software and other, related network operation platforms.

(MUSIC)

RUI: Profits made by larger industrial firms in China grew 3.5 per cent in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

MARIANN: Data released by the country’s statistics bureau on 27^th July showed that industrial profits totalled at over 3,500 billion yuan in the January-June period. Over 70 per cent of these profits were generated in the manufacturing sector. The mining sector generated over 17 per cent, while utilities providers about 10 per cent of the total.  In June alone, the year-on-year rate of growth in profits was 3.6 per cent.

(MUSIC)

RUI: According to a report released on 24^th July by the China Electricity Council, in the first half of 2024, while the country’s power consumption increased compared to the same period last year, for the first time the proportion of coal power fell below the combined share of wind and solar energy.  

MARIANN: Total electricity consumption rose 8.1 per cent year-on-year in the January-June period. Power consumption jumped significantly in high-tech and equipment manufacturing, and in the internet data services sector. The latter’s electricity consumption surged 33 per cent, which the Council attributed to fast-paced development in areas such as mobile internet, big data and cloud computing. The report forecasts that in 2024, China’s total energy consumption will grow 6.5 per cent compared to last year. Meanwhile, the installed capacity of wind and solar energy production is expected to surpass 40 per cent of the country’s total capacity by the end of the year.

(MUSIC)

RUI: Bloomberg reported on 29^th July, that starting from mid-August China will further curb access to information on its stock market flows.

MARIANN: Bloomberg cited a statement from the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges issued on 26^th July, which said that from 18^th August, they will no longer disclose end-of-day data on global stock flows. The publication of real-time flows data was already suspended in May. Access to important information related to the economy has already been significantly curtailed, especially for foreign entities. Without access to such data and related business intelligence, companies are increasingly unable to make well-informed investment decisions in China, making them increasingly likely to look to other jurisdictions that offer more transparency.

(MUSIC)

RUI: On 18^th July, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party concluded its Third Plenum, a major conference held every five years to chart the overall direction of the country’s long-term economic and social policies. 

MARIANN: At this year’s Third Plenum, China’s leadership has again acknowledged many of the headwinds facing the country’s economy, including risks in the real estate sector and local government debt, and signalled its intent to deepen reforms. The resolution passed at the session highlights the task of deepening reform to advance the country’s modernisation. At the same time, it reiterates the need to balance economic recovery against national security concerns, while maintaining social stability.

RUI: Join us on 7^th August online or in person in Shanghai to learn about the Third Plenum’s implications for European businesses operating in China. Experts and industry players will discuss market opportunities, potential risks and challenges, and strategies to navigate China’s evolving business landscape. They will also share their views on the future of China’s economic opening, as well as geopolitical considerations, and their impact on specific sectors.

(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.

This episode contains segments on:

• The communique issued at the Third Plenum;
• The World Trade Organization’s ninth review of China’s trade policy; and
• Youth unemployment data in June.

Also, the European Chamber joined a roundtable on Large-scale Equipment Renewals and Trade-in of Consumer Goods hosted by the Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji on 17^th July. Listen to learn more.

This episode contains segments on:

• Foreign trade data in June and the first half of 2024;
• China’s GDP and macroeconomic indicators in the second quarter this year;
• Temporary policy adjustments in six Chinese cities to boost foreign investment in the service sector;
• European Commission anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese titanium dioxide imports.

Also, if you listen to China Dispatches, the podcast will be dedicating three future episodes to exploring some of the findings in the Business Confidence Survey 2024 on carbon neutrality, market access and competition with members from relevant industries.

This episode contains segments on:

• China’s price indices in June;
• State Council’s action plan to improve government procurement;
• Guideline to prevent financial fraud in the capital market;
• China Climate Change Blue Book 2024.

Also, listeners are invited to join an event online or in Beijing on 23rd July on the impact of the French elections on France’s China policy and EU’s relationship with China.

This episode contains segments on:

• China’s renewed calls for attracting foreign investment;
• Official Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ index (PMI) and Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI in June;
• Industrial profits from January to May;

Also, listeners are invited to join an event in Beijing on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) to discuss the challenges and future trends of the AI industry.

This episode contains segments on:

• EU and China agree to talks on potential EV tariffs;
• China to limit low-end capacity in the solar industry;
• Foreign direct investment from January to May 2024;
• New measures to boost consumption;

From the Chamber’s side, the latest issue of EURObiz is released and available to download.

This episode contains segments on:

• EU’s tariffs on battery electric vehicles imported from China;
• Retail sales and industrial production data in May;
• Consumer and producer prices in May;
• Group of Seven’s stance on trade relations with China.

From the Chamber’s side, a high-level meeting with vice minister of the State Administration for Market Regulation took place. Also, listeners are invited to join a midsummer business reception in Beijing on 27^th June to connect with European business and diplomatic community while enjoying the elegant and relaxed atmosphere.

This episode contains segments on:

• State Council adopted draft rules on implementing the management system for registered capital stipulated by the company law;
• Foreign trade data in May;
• China’s Provincial Business Environment Index 2023 Report

Also, listeners are invited to join an event in Beijing or online on 19^th June on the European Parliament’s election results and its impact on EU-China relations.