Exclusive Meeting with Mr HE Shaojun, Deputy Special Commissioner to Shanghai, Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM)

2024-08-21 | Shanghai

Exclusive Meeting with Mr HE Shaojun, Deputy Special Commissioner to Shanghai, Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM)

On 21st August, the European Chamber hosted a meeting with Mr He Shaojun, Deputy Special Commissioner to Shanghai, Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) .

Chamber Vice President and Shanghai Chapter Chair Carlo D’Andrea, alongside Vice President Bruno Weill, AC members, and Working Group Chairs from auto components, environment, energy, and IPR sectors, discussed issues including financial opening, automotive aftermarket, sustainability, green development, IPR, CCUS, and access to green power.

During the meeting, D’Andrea requested better protection for IPR, lower operational and living costs, a more simplified visa application process, stronger policy support to boost China’s classic car market and more investment access for foreign companies.

Bruno Weill, Chamber Vice President and National Chair of Financial Services Working Group, raised concerns about the need for MNCs to establish legal entities with offshore equity in each province, the same issue proposed in the advocacy letter European Chamber sent to MOFCOM Minister Wang Wentao in June and has been working with MOFCOM on it.

Lingling JIANG, National Chair of the Auto Components Sub-Working Group, highlighted OEM restrictions and patent disputes in the auto industry. Erin Xu, National Vice Chair of the Environment Working Group, highlighted insufficient access to green electricity and proposed textile recycling pilot programs in line with EU regulations. Echoing the issue of insufficient green power accessibility, Clément Lix, National Vice Chair of the Energy Working Group, noted that European companies also face challenges with biomethane access and called for financial support for flagship CCUS projects.

In response, Mr He Shaojun acknowledged the Chamber’s role in representing European companies, recognised the commonality of the issues raised, and promised to refer them to relevant departments. He also highlighted MOFCOM’s focus on FDI, the establishment of a Special Working Group, and proposed to further deepen our communication and collaboration.