On July 30, Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy Representative of International Trade Negotiations, held an online symposium with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and its member companies, discussing China-US trade ties, Chinese business environment and other trade-related issues of mutual concern. The forum was attended by AmCham Chairman Greg Gilligan and President Alan Beebe, and representatives from over 20 member companies including Amway, Mars, GM, Intel, Starbucks, and Corteva.

Wang Shouwen said that on July 21, President Xi Jinping stressed at a symposium with entrepreneurs that China will use every feasible means to protect market entities and unleash their vitality. The online symposium is a real action to translate the spirit of President Xi’s important speech into practice and to enable resumption of work and production through closer communication with American businesses.

Wang Shouwen said that in the face of the raging pandemic, China has stay committed to further opening up since the start of this year. The Foreign Investment Law and relevant regulations have been implemented. New negative lists for the whole country and pilot free trade zones were published. More market access is opened for foreign investment. MOFCOM is accelerating the revision of the Working Measures for Processing Complaints of Foreign-Invested Companies and soliciting comments on the Administrative Measures for Strategic Investment by Foreign Investors in Listed Companies. According to the plans made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, MOFCOM has put together special working teams on key foreign investment projects to work together with relevant ministries and local governments to provide services for FIEs at every stage, support FIEs in resuming work and production, and make positive progress in large projects.

Wang Shouwen said that China-US relations face severe challenges. It is hoped that the business community in the United States can continue to play its role as a bridge between the two countries and expand practical cooperation so that the bilateral commercial ties remain the stabilizer of China-US relations. It is in the interest of both countries and the world as a whole.

Representatives of US-funded enterprises attending the meeting said that the COVID-19 epidemic is a severe challenge faced by all countries in the world, and everyone should strengthen cooperation and work together to deal with it. The American business community is committed to promoting equal, mutually beneficial and sustainable China-US relations, and opposes politicizing economic and trade issues. American enterprises attach great importance to the Chinese market and are optimistic about China's economic development prospects. They are willing to actively participate in the implementation of the phase-one economic and trade agreement, continue to take root in China and grow with China.

Representatives of American enterprises also put forward suggestions on issues such as the return of foreign company executives and their families to China, promoting consumption, expanding opening up and improving business environment.