The British Chamber of Commerce in China on Wednesday released a position paper on U.K. business in China, highlighting some of the challenges around cybersecurity and information technology. The uncertainty and administrative burden that foreign companies face in this area could increasingly hamper China’s ambition to become a leader in multinational innovation, it said in the report.
St John Moore, chairman of the chamber also cited China’s travel restrictions as another top concern of businesses, saying there needs to be a way to ensure safe travel between the U.K. and China. This should be a matter of priority as the number of vaccinated people in the U.K. increases and China’s virus situation stays largely under control.
The report also notes declining support for constructive engagement with China among British politicians and the general public.
Some foreign nationals working for British businesses in China have found themselves subject to apparently arbitrary restrictions or rules despite fully complying with public health requirements, such as being treated differently from Chinese citizens while traveling or prevented from meeting certain government workers.
State competition continues to inhibit the growth of British companies operating in China, he said. The Chinese government should also step up efforts to expand pilot programs to liberalize cross-border capital flows and develop an attractive environment for global talent.
