by Josh Horwitz
SHANGHAI, Sept 21 (Reuters) – European businesses are losing faith in China as an investment country over its “inflexible” COVID policy, with implementation deemed “inconsistent”, the Chamber of Commerce said on Wednesday. of the European Union.
In a document issuing this warning, the organization says it has received contributions from 1,800 member companies on the subject. It also offers 967 recommendations for China, the European Union (EU) and European businesses to improve the bilateral business climate.
The document, which covers topics ranging from Taiwan to trade, said China should refrain from “erratic policy changes”, deepen cooperation with the EU and speed up the resumption of international flights.
The European Union, for its part, should reject calls for a disengagement of the country, can we also read in this document.
A ‘striking contrast’ has emerged between China and the rest of the world over the past year: while other countries remain committed to globalization, China continues to turn inward,” the president said. of the EU Chamber of Commerce, Jörg Wuttke, during a press briefing.
“The world has opted for herd immunity and China is waiting for the world to get rid of Omicron, which of course is unlikely,” he said, referring to the country’s zero-COVID strategy, which translates into frequent health restrictions and prolonged border closures for most foreign travellers.
China considers that this strategy is necessary to avoid saturation of its health system and an unacceptable number of deaths.
According to the EU Chamber of Commerce, China’s attractiveness is also suffering from the halt in the reform of Chinese state-owned enterprises, the departure of European nationals from China, restrictions on travel abroad and a increased politicization of affairs.
The document notes that a record number of companies are looking to shift their current or planned investments to other markets. (Report Josh Horwitz; French version Claude Chendjou, edited by Jean-Stéphane Brosse)