Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FOR MULTINATIONALS
SIGNPOSTS:
A PRACTICAL GUIDE
CHINA
IN 2022
CONTENTS
for executives of multinational Global Trade and Technology Competition – Pamela Passman .....................................................................7
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CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
VIEWPOINTS
GLOBAL
GLOBAL VIEWPOINTS
was not an anomaly. teams to better understand their interpretations of sensitive issues
and on-the-ground operating dynamics.
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GLOBAL VIEWPOINTS
Declan Kelleher Nuance in Geopolitics: areas such as health, industrial and foreign policy. Businesses should
keenly track the views of influential member states and of coalitions
Former Ambassador of Ireland to Geopolitical uncertainties, the pandemic, fears for the health of
of member states on key issues. While EU member states may
the People’s Republic of China and the liberal rules-based international order and concerns that the
sometimes have differing opinions on China-related issues, the legal
Permanent Representative of EU should be less vulnerable and more realistic on trade, have led
force and influence of agreed EU regulation (the “Brussels effect”)
Ireland to the European Union the EU to fashion a more multifaceted and rigorous approach to
need to be factored in by European and non-EU businesses.
engagement with China without necessarily containing it. While
Top-down Guidance:
the EU will undoubtedly seek to work closely with the Biden
administration on certain aspects of China policy, the evolving
concept of EU “strategic autonomy” will influence the shape of In the sensitive period before the 20th National Communist Party
this cooperation. In 2022, whether the EU can manage political and Congress in November, headquarters executives need to be
values-based differences with China will determine the scope of particularly aware of top-down political guidance within China.
defrosting the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment Evolving policy prescriptions and regulations on economic,
(CAI). The European Parliament will play a significant role in dictating social, and environ-mental issues, as well as re-castings of core
whether this thaw will occur. Party ideology and policy—such as the Common Prosperity
agenda—present both challenges and opportunities for business.
EU businesses should be mindful of potential challenges to resolving
divergent compliance requirements of China on the one hand, and
Businesses should keenly track the EU and national authorities on the other.
views of influential member states...
...headquarters executives
Working with the Grain: need to be particularly aware of
The EU legislative process involves three parties: the Commission, top-down political guidance...
the Council (the member states) and the European Parliament.
Some areas, such as trade policy, are the exclusive competence of
the Commission, while national authorities have a stronger say in
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GLOBAL VIEWPOINTS
Boris Johnson has been the driving force behind a delicate balancing
act, but he has been constrained by COVID-19, his own political
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GLOBAL VIEWPOINTS
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CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
SIGNPOSTS FOR 2022:
ISSUES THAT WILL
DEFINE THE OPERATING
ENVIRONMENT
CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
SECURITY & DATA:
DRIVING FORCES
BEHIND POLICYMAKING
Ongoing geopolitical tensions and the sectors, should anticipate increased
upcoming 20th National Communist Party government scrutiny under the DSL.
MNCs must audit themselves to avoid crosscutting Congress make 2022 a critical year for China.
MNCs should mind China’s long-term focus
national security hotspots—whether political, This period of acute political sensitivity is
cementing a risk-averse mindset within
on “technology self-reliance”—a central
ideological, economic or technological. government to mitigate economic instability.
pillar of China’s national security strategy.
Increasing state support for domestic
From addressing the risk of food and
competitors is an irreversible trend; MNCs
resource shortages to ensuring control over
Security will dominate China’s 2022 political agenda ahead of the strategic sectors, all policy decisions will have
hoping to grow in China will need to
forthcoming 20th National Communist Party Congress. Ensuring strategic significance in 2022. Within this
demonstrate how they support China’s
Xi Jinping’s unquestioned reappointment as Party Secretary will global competitiveness.
environment, MNCs should exercise extreme
be the Party’s utmost priority. caution when deciding how to handle
sensitive matters that could intersect with
MNCs should keep a low profile and focus on compliance with China’s long-term interests.
a raft of new laws and regulations, including the Data Security MNCs must prepare for a greater emphasis
Law and the Personal Information Protection Law, which aim to on cybersecurity and data issues in 2022.
protect citizens and bring stability to markets. Enforcing the privacy-oriented Personal
Information Protection Law (PIPL) and the
Equally, MNCs should not make bold or dramatic moves ahead national security-oriented Data Security Law
of the Party Congress and should not anticipate significant new (DSL) is already underway. If not already
completed, MNCs should compare their
policies related to opening and deregulation in 2022.
compliance with the EU GDPR in developing
mechanisms to adhere to the PIPL. MNCs
In strategically important sectors, government industrial policy
operating in sensitive areas, including
will support and offer subsidies to domestic champions. e-commerce, healthcare and automotive
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CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
DUAL CIRCULATION:
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CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
COMMON PROSPERITY:
EXPANDING
THE PIE
While Common Prosperity has been framed In the medium and long-term, central
as a new initiative, it is merely a new label and local authorities will focus initiatives
MNCs should look for areas of alignment and for a set of long-term goals. It is closely on ensuring access to basic social
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CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
REGULATORY REFORM:
Beijing’s efforts to mitigate near-term financial highly surgical in 2022. As a result, measures (and capital) required to not only establish
will focus on stabilizing the real economy a well-functioning financial system, but also
risks present an opportunity for foreign MNCs, while also creating a more robust economy underwrite the critical industries needed for
particularly if they can align with the Party’s long needed in the long-term. MNCs should its long-term development goals. Foreign
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CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
TRADE & SUPPLY CHAINS:
CAUGHT IN
THE CROSSFIRE
China’s bids for bilateral trade agreements Forced Labor Prevention Act entering into
As MNCs navigate the consequences of geopolitical have stalled. Two years after the U.S.-China force in mid-2022 will require companies to
Phase I Agreement, bilateral trade relations prove imports from Xinjiang are free from
and trade issues, home nation governments and remain poor as China has failed to meet forced labor. While the EU Commission may
the Chinese government will both increasingly purchasing commitments and the Biden have postponed the release of its proposed
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CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
COVID-19:
SMALL GLIMMERS
OF HOPE
With the Winter Olympics and the 20th The ability to move staff in and out of
National Communist Party Congress taking China will remain severely limited in 2022,
place in Beijing this year, China is very likely meaning the ability of MNCs to execute
Border restrictions and other COVID to maintain its zero-COVID-19 policy and mission-critical business decisions may be
measures will frustrate MNCs that operate impose local lockdowns whenever needed. delayed. In the absence of details on an
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CHINA SIGNPOSTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MULTINATIONALS IN 2022
ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY:
opportunities which align with Beijing’s climate and is instructive of China’s ambitious time- transition and achieving China’s long-term
lines, and is already being matched by a environmental objectives.
environmental objectives. wave of supportive policies at the central
and local levels. While the government will likely turn to
stimulus to incentivize the green transition,
Heightened environmental compliance pressures and regulatory In some parts of Eastern China and areas a lack of domestic expertise remains a major
surrounding Beijing, pollution standards barrier. MNCs with a strong sustainability
change require MNCs to closely monitor policies and trends to
are now higher than similar regulations in commitment are well positioned to introduce
enable well-informed business decisions.
Western Europe and North America. global standards and advanced practices in
While resource constraints caused by global key areas, such as supply chain management,
Companies should anticipate and proactively adapt to forthcoming shortages and the transition away from sustainable consumption, renewable energy,
changes to minimize business disruption. coal may temporarily relax some emissions green infrastructure and smart transportation.
standards in 2022, the overall trend will move These contributions can demonstrate
Green development creates business transformation and towards stricter standards in the near future. commitment to development goals and
reputation-building opportunities for MNCs who can bring MNCs will need to consider whether their provide a platform to institutionalize
innovative technical solutions and practices to China. transition plans are future proof to withstand engagement with key stakeholders and
long-term compliance rather than piecemeal industry partners.
investments to meet current standards.
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ABOUT APCO WORLDWIDE
CONTACTS CONTRIBUTORS
James Robinson Anthony Marchese (London)
Global Lead, Geo-Commerce,
New York Yining Yuan (Beijing)
jrobinson@apcoworldwide.com Lucas Browne (New York)
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