European Chamber Comments on the New Postal Law Go back »

2009-04-25 | All chapters

The European Chamber is disappointed about the new Postal Law and concerned about the protectionism reflected in it

Beijing, 24th April, 2009. The Standing Committee of China’s National People's Congress (NPC) adopted China’s new Postal Law this morning. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China is disappointed that the new Postal Law does not allow Chinese companies and consumers full access to foreign express delivery service providers, and regrets that this may raise questions about China’s WTO commitments and contradict international best practices. The Chamber is also concerned about the tendency towards protectionism reflected in this law, as protectionist measures would only exacerbate the current crisis and inhibit China’s economic recovery.

The European Chamber believes that the economy benefits when local and foreign firms compete to offer improved services at a more competitive price. Since the meeting with the Legislative Affairs Office of the Standing Committee of NPC in November 2008, the Chamber’s Logistics Working Group has been working proactively on lobbying for a level playing field in China’s express delivery industry where Chinese consumers could enjoy more choices and where the overall service quality can be improved with the introduction of the latest technology and advanced management methods. The protectionism in this law, however, will limit the development of the country's logistics industry and will result in fewer options and lower quality services for customers.

Furthermore, the new Postal Law creates a new licensing system for express delivery services, which is a step backwards from the efficient deregulation established in China’s 2004 Administrative Licensing Law. Collectively, these measures will erode the competitiveness of foreign invested firms against their domestic counterparts in the wider express market. This combination will reduce market incentives to maintain or improve customer-focused service.

As an essential part of the supply chains, the express delivery industry is increasingly important to China’s manufacturing and service firms as they move up the value chain. The European Chamber hopes, in the near future, an open and level playing field can be established for the sound development of this industry.

The European Chamber is convinced that further liberalization of China’s service sectors can stimulate the domestic growth. China’s future economic growth will be built on the development of the service sector, where there is huge potential for further development that can contribute to increasing China’ GDP.

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For further information, please contact:
Grace Yao
Press Officer
European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
Phone: +86 10 6462 2066 - 30
Mobile: +86 1367 1168 084
E-mail: gyao@euccc.com.cn

新闻稿

中国欧盟商会对新修订的《邮政法》表示遗憾，并对其体现的保护主义倾向表示担忧

北京，2009年4月24日。十一届全国人大常委会第八次会议今天上午审议通过了新修订的《中华人民共和国邮政法》（简称《邮政法》）。新《邮政法》使得中国企业和消费者无法充分享受外资快递公司的服务，这一规定有悖于国际通行的做法，并可能引发对中国是否履行WTO承诺的质疑，中国欧盟商会对此表示遗憾。此外，商会对该法所体现的保护主义倾向表示担忧。在当前形势下，任何保护主义措施只会恶化经济危机，阻碍中国经济回暖。

中国欧盟商会相信，允许国内外企业通过公平竞争提供更质优价廉的服务，这将有助于经济发展。2008年11月，商会的物流工作组与全国人大常委会法制工作委员会会晤，提交了工作组对该法的意见，并自此一直积极致力于相关的游说活动，支持建立公平竞争的商业环境，旨在让中国消费者能享受更多的选择，并通过引进世界先进的技术和管理方式，提升行业的整体服务水平。然而，新《邮政法》所体现的保护主义将限制中国物流行业的发展，可导致消费者选择的减少以及服务水平的下降。

此外，新《邮政法》为快递服务设置了新的行政许可制度。这是自2004年开始实施的《行政许可法》有效下放权力后的一个倒退。总体而言，这些措施将损害外资企业在更广泛的快递市场上与中国企业竞争时应有的竞争力，从而打击企业保持或提高服务水平的积极性。

作为供应链中至关重要的一部分，在中国的制造商和服务提供商向价值链上游转移的过程中，快递业发挥着日益重要的作用。中国欧盟商会希望，在不久的将来，中国能建立公平开放的竞争环境，使物流业得以健康发展。

中国欧盟商会相信，进一步开放中国的服务业将有利于刺激国内经济的增长。中国未来经济的增长取决于服务业的发展。中国的服务业尚有深入发展的巨大潜力，其发展将有助于国内生产总值的增长。

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希望了解更多信息，敬请联系：
姚辰
中国欧盟商会新闻官
电话：+86 (0)10 6462 2066 – 30
手机：+86 1367 1168 084
电邮：gyao@euccc.com.cn

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