European Chamber Joins the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Roundtable on Large-Scale Equipment Renewals and Trade-in of Consumer Goods

2024-07-17 | Beijing

On 17th July, European Chamber Secretary General Adam Dunnett attended the Roundtable for Foreign Invested Enterprises on large-scale equipment renewals and trade-in of consumer goods, hosted by Vice Minister Ling Ji of the Ministry of Commerce.

Dunnett raised concerns from healthcare equipment sector over the fair participation in this action plan. He noted that the specific measures and processes for landing large-scale equipment renewal programmes in each province are unclear, and sources of information are not publicly available, making it more difficult for foreign companies to participate. In addition, in some sectors like the rail industry, the industry-specific action plans or guiding opinions on large-scale equipment upgrades emphasized "self-reliance" mentality throughout the document, which also raises concerns among member companies.

Dunnett also voiced hope to further develop remanufacturing standards in relevant areas such as auto component and build up the public awareness towards remanufactured products and cultivate consumers’ awareness of the need for timely removal and replacement of equipment with high energy consumption and emissions.

Vice Minister Ling emphasised that China will unswervingly push forward high level of opening up, optimise the business environment, and support domestic and foreign enterprises equally to participate in large-scale equipment renewal and trade-ins of consumer goods, as well as related government procurement and investment project.

Officials from the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Information Industry and Technology, and the People’s Bank of China also participated in the meeting and explained the policies and responded to the problems raised by enterprises.