The “zero Covid” weighs on the morale of French entrepreneurs in China


The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China does not exclude a questioning of “the centrality of China within global value chains”. ISAAC LAWRENCE/AFP

Half of the Chinese subsidiaries of French companies anticipate a fall in their income this year. They demand an abandonment of the health policy pursued by the Chinese regime.

The Chinese Eldorado has lead in the wing. The country, which had attracted 2,100 subsidiaries of French companies in recent years and not far from 445,000 employees in total, has lost its attractiveness to French business leaders, according to a new survey by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. French in China (CCI France China) carried out at the beginning of September. Blame it on politics zero covid “, pursued ardently for nearly three years by the Chinese regime.

More than 60% of the 303 French companies surveyed believe that their margins have been reduced due to the “ zero covid “. Half of them also anticipate a drop in their turnover, some of up to 80%, in the 2022 financial year. nearly 8 companies surveyed out of 10, the country’s image has deteriorated, considerably affecting their willingness to invest there.

For the CCI France China, the clearly displayed choice of the Chinese regime to favor the fight against the virus to the detriment of economic activity constitutes a tipping point. “The uncertainty caused by the tightening of measures observed during the health crisis at the expense of economic activity could call into question the centrality of China within global value chains”warns the body for the defense of the interests of French entrepreneurs in China.

China may have eased the conditions for entering its territory this summer, but the subsidiaries of French companies in China « toil [toujours] to attract foreign talent., notes the CCI Franche Chine. The organization calls for the final exit from the policy “ zero covid and argues for a return to a “transparent, predictable and fair business climate” for investments to continue.

SEE ALSO – Covid-19: the end of the pandemic is in sight, according to the WHO



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