European Chamber report provides recommendations to accelerate development in South China and increase EU-China cooperation Go back »

2019-04-10 | South China

Guangzhou, 10^th April 2019 – The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (European Chamber) today released South China Position Paper 2019/2020, its second local paper presenting the concerns, assessments and recommendations of European Chamber members doing business in the region. The report focusses on ways that European companies can work with the local government to upgrade the local regulatory environment, attract more talent to the region and improve conditions for small and medium-sized companies, to ensure South China reaches its full potential.

The region embraced economic liberalisation at the start of China’s reform and opening up programme more than 40 years ago, and has since been a national pioneer for much of the country’s economic development. But while Guangdong and its cities now regularly top national lists in terms of economic clout and the quality of the general business environment, it is no longer sufficient to measure itself relative to its domestic competition. Guangdong should instead be rivalling other global business centres. President Xi himself suggested during the first session of the 13^th National People’s Congress, held in Beijing in March 2018, that the province should go for “full opening up”.

The South China Position Paper 2019/2020 presents eight key recommendations that will assist the local authorities in achieving this goal. Guangdong is well positioned to become an exemplar of how China can benefit from an open, fair and well-regulated economy, and European business is ready to contribute to this goal and, by doing so, help demonstrate to the rest of China the value of completing the reform and opening up process.

“While the future for European companies in the region remains promising, we believe that Guangdong can brighten its economic future by working with industry to improve the local business environment,” said George Lau, chair of the European Chamber’s South China Chapter. “Our local membership has compiled constructive recommendations to start a conversation with the local government on how to shift Guangdong from a good place to do business in China to a great place to do business globally.”

Please click here to download the report.

About the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (European Chamber) was founded in 2000 by 51 member companies that shared a goal of establishing a common voice for the various business sectors of the European Union and European businesses operating in China. It is a members-driven, non-profit, fee-based organisation with a core structure of 31 working groups and fora representing European business in China. The European Chamber is recognised by the European Commission and the Chinese authorities as the official voice of European business in China.

For more information please contact