Page 8 - 2020 White Paper on the Business Environment in China
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0 White Paper on the Business Environment in China
President’s Message
Thedata involved in this 2020 White Paper by the virus outbreak and decisions made by the
on the Business Environment in China government to contain it. Our Chamber has been
is untainted by the recent confusing events and working with our members to develop plans to
various governmental actions as it intentionally defend against such situations for well over a decade.
only includes data compiled and analyzed prior to Since 2006, I have encouraged our companies to
the onset of the Novel Coronavirus outbreak and develop strategies against viral outbreaks as it
measures taken by China to protect its people and was always “not a question of if but when” a virus
those of other countries. While it is entirely too early would strike. This planning is also the reason why
to determine the total impact of the virus on China with encouragement from AmCham South China its
and world economy, we have already conducted members donated 38 million US dollars in cash and
two follow-up studies and plan to conduct a 1.05 million US dollars in-kind to aid Wuhan, Hubei,
comprehensive study at some point in the future and other areas in need by mid-February. As a foreign
when the cloud has cleared and life is back. We have non-profit, non-partisan business organization
done so as we believe this 2020 White Paper on the with long-term dedication to the public welfare,
Business Environment in China accurately assesses AmCham South China is continuing to make an all-
what businesses will do once they are back to out effort by calling on members and individuals to
business. Please visit www.amcham-southchina.org donate funds and supplies to help contain the virus
to access additional studies free of charge, as they outbreak, especially medical supplies and protective
become available. items, including face masks, protective caps, suits,
goggles and disposable latex gloves. Our members
The Chinese government continuously stepped have been working hand in hand with our Chinese
up its efforts to curtail the virus in an open and counterparts to fight this outbreak.
productive way, but it was impossible to predict
which direction this epidemic would take. China’s China has a strong public health system, but this
government suspended most access to Wuhan, is now more than just a China problem. WHO has
the city at the center of the outbreak on Jan. 23. called the virus a threat to global health. America
Restrictions expanded to cities with a total of has already seen over a dozen deaths caused by the
60 million people in the broadest anti-disease virus. Other countries such as Italy and South Korea
measures ever imposed. Restaurants, shops and have seen far more. The international community
other businesses nationwide were ordered to must come together to not only help China in its time
close. World Health Organization (WHO) officials of need but to also intensify its own preparedness.
have expressed their encouragement concerning The virus that emerged in central China in December
the steps China has taken to prevent widespread has infected over 100,000 people globally and has
transmission outside its borders. The country’s killed far too many people, the vast majority in China.
precautions for the most part contained the
outbreak at its source and appeared to have bought World leaders need to do better. The severe acute
the world time. International teams of experts respiratory syndrome (SARS) of 2003 is nothing
worked closely with their Chinese counterparts more than a vague memory for most Americans.
to understand the outbreak and to minimize the The global economy has changed since 2003.
transmission of new cases. China now accounts for 16 percent of global GDP,
up from 4 percent back then. And it is the world’s
According to this year’s Special Report, American second-biggest importer. Any weakness, however
companies in South China have been less affected temporary, is felt far and wide. The economy has not
8
President’s Message
Thedata involved in this 2020 White Paper by the virus outbreak and decisions made by the
on the Business Environment in China government to contain it. Our Chamber has been
is untainted by the recent confusing events and working with our members to develop plans to
various governmental actions as it intentionally defend against such situations for well over a decade.
only includes data compiled and analyzed prior to Since 2006, I have encouraged our companies to
the onset of the Novel Coronavirus outbreak and develop strategies against viral outbreaks as it
measures taken by China to protect its people and was always “not a question of if but when” a virus
those of other countries. While it is entirely too early would strike. This planning is also the reason why
to determine the total impact of the virus on China with encouragement from AmCham South China its
and world economy, we have already conducted members donated 38 million US dollars in cash and
two follow-up studies and plan to conduct a 1.05 million US dollars in-kind to aid Wuhan, Hubei,
comprehensive study at some point in the future and other areas in need by mid-February. As a foreign
when the cloud has cleared and life is back. We have non-profit, non-partisan business organization
done so as we believe this 2020 White Paper on the with long-term dedication to the public welfare,
Business Environment in China accurately assesses AmCham South China is continuing to make an all-
what businesses will do once they are back to out effort by calling on members and individuals to
business. Please visit www.amcham-southchina.org donate funds and supplies to help contain the virus
to access additional studies free of charge, as they outbreak, especially medical supplies and protective
become available. items, including face masks, protective caps, suits,
goggles and disposable latex gloves. Our members
The Chinese government continuously stepped have been working hand in hand with our Chinese
up its efforts to curtail the virus in an open and counterparts to fight this outbreak.
productive way, but it was impossible to predict
which direction this epidemic would take. China’s China has a strong public health system, but this
government suspended most access to Wuhan, is now more than just a China problem. WHO has
the city at the center of the outbreak on Jan. 23. called the virus a threat to global health. America
Restrictions expanded to cities with a total of has already seen over a dozen deaths caused by the
60 million people in the broadest anti-disease virus. Other countries such as Italy and South Korea
measures ever imposed. Restaurants, shops and have seen far more. The international community
other businesses nationwide were ordered to must come together to not only help China in its time
close. World Health Organization (WHO) officials of need but to also intensify its own preparedness.
have expressed their encouragement concerning The virus that emerged in central China in December
the steps China has taken to prevent widespread has infected over 100,000 people globally and has
transmission outside its borders. The country’s killed far too many people, the vast majority in China.
precautions for the most part contained the
outbreak at its source and appeared to have bought World leaders need to do better. The severe acute
the world time. International teams of experts respiratory syndrome (SARS) of 2003 is nothing
worked closely with their Chinese counterparts more than a vague memory for most Americans.
to understand the outbreak and to minimize the The global economy has changed since 2003.
transmission of new cases. China now accounts for 16 percent of global GDP,
up from 4 percent back then. And it is the world’s
According to this year’s Special Report, American second-biggest importer. Any weakness, however
companies in South China have been less affected temporary, is felt far and wide. The economy has not
8
