From left are Emory Williams of Sureblock and chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing; Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce; and Charlie Martin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Larry Dicke)

Governor Schwarzenegger addressed more than 500 people at the luncheon including representatives from U.S. companies in China and Chinese companies interested in the California market. The forum gave the Governor and visiting members of the California business delegation a chance to mingle with the audience, which praised the Governor and his remarks.

The Governor spoke on the steady opening of markets in China since the nation joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) and opportunities for expanding trade. China’s admission to the WTO in 2001 has led to significant growth in trade, elevating China to the third largest exporting nation and the second largest economy in the world, after the United States.

After joining the WTO, China agreed to undertake a series of important commitments to open and liberalize its regime in order to better integrate in the world economy and offer a more predictable environment for trade and foreign investment. Among some of those commitments undertaken by China are the following:

• China will provide non-discriminatory treatment to all WTO members. All foreign individuals and enterprises, including those not invested or registered in China, will be accorded treatment no less favorable than that accorded to enterprises in China with respect to the right to trade.
  
• China will not maintain or introduce, but limit any export subsidies on agricultural products.
  
• Price controls will not be used for purposes of affording protection to domestic industries or services providers.
  
• China will eliminate dual pricing practices as well as differences in treatment according to goods produced for sale in China in comparison to those produced for export.

Governor Schwarzenegger also spoke on environmental cooperation and educational exchanges between the two nations. He also promoted the Special Olympics, mentioning that Shanghai will host the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2007. Unresolved issues discussed by the Governor included intellectual property rights, unclear regulations of the Chinese government and issues arising as the Chinese economy grows, including energy needs, soil erosion and goods movement.

The Governor will travel to Shanghai tomorrow and then to Hong Kong on Friday, November 18. The mission will depart China on November 19.

For more information on the Chamber’s positions on international trade issues please visit http://www.calchamber.com/international

Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling