American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China

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This article is about the American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China (AmCham China). It is not to be confused with the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai).
The American Chamber of Commerce in China
AmCham China logo, 2015.png
Founded 1991
Focus Business advocacy
Location
  • Beijing, China
Area served
 China
Key people
 James Zimmerman, Chairperson Alan Beebe, President
Website amchamchina.org

The American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China (AmCham China) is a non-profit organization helping American companies and individuals doing business in China. The chamber provides information, networking opportunities, business support services, and advocacy to promote a mutually beneficial bilateral business environment for the United States and China.[1]

With a membership of more than 3,500 individuals and 1,000 companies, AmCham China has more than 40 industry- and issue-specific forums and committees.[1] These working groups serve as a platform for the American business community and other organizations in China to foster understanding, share information, pursue common interests, promote trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation.[2]

AmCham China’s headquarters are located in Beijing. In addition to a Tianjin Chapter, it has a Central China Chapter based in Wuhan and a Northeast China Chapter with offices in Dalian and Shenyang.

History

The first American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing (then Peking) was established in 1919, with eight founding member companies, including Standard Oil.[3] The organization disbanded when war broke out, and the chamber did not reform until 1981. AmCham China was formally registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs in 1991. As a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the business success of its members, AmCham China is not affiliated with any branch of government.[4]

Originally known as the "American Chamber of Commerce and Beijing". Some of the trademarks that they use are owned by the 'American club of Beijing' which is represented by legal counsel Lehman, Lee & Xu. Edward Lehman, one of the leading foreign intellectual property lawyers in china, was appointed by the American community in China to register the "AmCham" Mark in 1997, upon his completion as governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing. There have been allegations of scandal against the agents who acted for the Chamber. The scandals involve issues of dishonesty and misconduct. The Chamber was involved in some recent court cases in which it lost to the American Club of Beijing. The cases involved the AmCham trademarks which the American Club has offered to licence to the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing and all the other non-affiliated American Chamber of Commerce in China.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Structure

AmCham China is a member-led organization rooted in the vision, hard work, and dedication of its members, many of whom are leaders within their companies and the business community. Currently, its national level operations are guided by the Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons, and 10 governors who comprise the organization’s Board of Governors. All voting members of AmCham China are eligible to participate in an annual election to select the Board.

Additionally, members of three AmCham China Chapters from around the country (Wuhan for Central China, Dalian for Northeast China, and Tianjin) each have their own local executive committee. These executive committees ensure that every Chapter is responsive to the needs of local AmCham China members.

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors consists of 14 voting individuals: the Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons, and 10 governors. The Treasurer, the General Counsel, the President, the most recent former Chairperson of the Board of Governors, and the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of any Chapter serve as non-voting ex-officio members.[2] The Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing and making policy decisions for AmCham China. It meets to discuss ongoing matters of the chamber at least six times per year. The Board also selects and appoints the President to supervise and direct all employees of the Chamber.[2]

Chairperson

The Chairperson must be a citizen of the United States and have a record of active participation in the Board of Governors, a Chamber committee, or a Chamber forum within the two years prior the election.[2] The Chairperson is eligible for two one-year terms, but it is possible for former Chairpersons to run again for additional non-consecutive terms. At the end of one’s term, the former Chairperson may continue serving as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Board unless otherwise elected as a regular Board member.

In addition to playing a general supervisory role in AmCham China’s organizational development, the Chairperson presides over all Board of Governors meetings, executes the decisions of the Board of Governors, appoints the head of each committee and forum, and represents the chamber in external relations. The Chairperson also appoints the Treasurer and General Counsel of the Board of Governors.[2]

List of Past Chairpersons

  • 2015-2016 James Zimmerman
  • 2013-2014 Greg Gilligan
  • 2011-2012 Ted Dean
  • 2009-2010 John D. Watkins, Jr.
  • 2007-2008 James Zimmerman
  • 2005-2006 Emory Williams, Jr.
  • 2004 Jim Gradoville
  • 2002-2003 Christian Murck
  • 2000-2001 Timothy P. Stratford
  • 1999 Richard Latham
  • 1998 (Second half) Min-Hwa Hu Kupfer
  • 1998 (First half) Rudy Schlais
  • 1997 John Holden
  • 1996 James L. McGregor
  • 1995 William Warwick
  • 1994 Phil Carmichael
  • 1992-1993 John Hart
  • 1990 Irl Hicks
  • 1989 Lucille Barale
  • 1985-1986 Sally Harpole
  • 1983-1984 Peter Lighte

Vice-Chairpersons

The three Vice-Chairpersons provide consultation and assume appropriate roles as designated by the Chairperson. In the Chairperson’s absence, a Vice-Chairperson may preside over meetings and assume the Chairpersonship in the case of the Chairperson’s resignation.[2]

Election Committee

The Election Committee supervises and reviews the election process for Board of Governors positions. It is selected by the Board of Governors from voting members of AmCham China. Election Committee members are prohibited from running for any position on the Board of Governors in the upcoming election, and current officers or members of the Board of Governors may not serve on the Election Committee.[2]

Membership

AmCham China’s membership includes more than 3,500 individuals and 1,000 companies. For an annual fee, membership is offered to major multinational companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and other individuals involved with China.

Categories

In 2000, AmCham China specified 10 different membership categories for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. The Board of Governors then introduced five streamlined membership options in 2012. The new main categories are as follows:[10]

1) Large corporate: companies with global revenue of at least 50 million USD.

2) Small corporate: companies with global revenue between 1 million and 50 million USD.

3) Other corporate: companies with global revenue of less than 1 million USD.

4) Individual: US citizens who are entrepreneurs or work for non-US companies

5) Other professionals: US citizens who work for nonprofits or educational institutions, and young professionals between 18 and 30 years of age or senior professionals over 60 years of age.

Benefits

Members enjoy exclusive content from AmCham China’s monthly magazine, weekly business-focused e-newsletters, podcasts, and round-ups of top Chinese news stories. They have the opportunity to collaborate and learn about industry trends through participation in more than 40 specific committees and forums. Many AmCham China members also take advantage of the diverse membership community to expand their professional network beyond their own industries. Public-private partnership programs in aviation, energy, and healthcare supplement regular networking and informational events for comprehensive exposure to different fields.

Additional benefits of membership include assistance through the business visa program, online job postings, health insurance provision, AmCham China’s powerful government relations platform, the M2M intra-chamber marketing program, a member discounts program, and exclusive member prices for over 150 annual AmCham China events.[11]

Publications

American Business in China White Paper

The annual American Business in China White Paper is one of AmCham China’s signature products and codifies members’ collective insights on the current business climate in China while setting the chamber's official position regarding the high-priority issues that affect the American business community in China. The White Paper also serves as a year-on-year assessment of the progress made on policies and regulations and is a key platform for discussion and engagement with the Chinese and US government.

The White Paper also includes an annual Recommendation Scorecard measuring progress in a wide range of policy areas. The 2015 White Paper found the most significant progress in electronic payment services, customs, medical devices, standards, certification and conformity assessments, and visa policy. Meanwhile, several areas, including agriculture, tax policy, competition law, and legal services, saw low progress.[12]

Business Climate Survey Report

The annual AmCham China Business Climate Survey (BCS) enhances the Chinese and US governments’ understanding of AmCham China's member companies’ concerns regarding China’s regulatory and policy environment, as well as the daily business challenges companies face when operating in China. Further, the survey is a useful tool for AmCham members to measure their operations and compare their business outlooks and strategies with the broader community.[13]

Additionally, the BCS report includes recommendations for businesses and policymakers. The 2015 report concluded that "A top priority for both Chinese and US policymakers should be the pursuit of a high standard US-China BIT to improve the ability of US companies to invest and innovate in China on an even playing field to the benefit of China's future economy."[14]

Business Now Magazine

Business Now is AmCham China's flagship publication, released both online and in print eight times annually. The magazine has a circulation of 5,500, including AmCham China’s 3,800 card-holding members, US and Chinese government officials and businesses around Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang and Wuhan.

The magazine provides insights on the US-China business environment, penned by chamber members, in-house policy analysts and staffers. Each issue includes such features as a cover story addressing a current issue, a report on policy changes and their implications for business, member commentaries, book reviews and in-depth interviews with senior business leaders.[15]

Chapters

AmCham China’s headquarters are located in Beijing's Central Business District. It also has a Central China Chapter in Wuhan, Northeast China Chapter in Dalian and Shenyang, and Tianjin Chapter. The three chapters are headed by Chapter Executive Committees that cater specifically to regional members.

Activities

AmCham China is involved in an expansive range of programs and services. Its signature activities help members succeed in China by providing government advocacy, a wide range of networking opportunities, valuable information and intelligence, and comprehensive business support services.

Forums and Committees

Over 40 industry- and issues-specific working groups at AmCham China are driven by the interests and needs of member companies. They provide exposure, create bridges, and facilitate information exchange in specialized business areas. Working groups’ policy work also contribute to the annual AmCham China White Paper, which reaches the US and Chinese governments as the definitive document on the state of American business in China.

Working groups include, but are not limited to, the Aerospace Forum, Clean Tech Committee, Environmental Industry Forum, Financial Services Forum, Intellectual Property Rights Forum, Oil, Energy, and Power Forum, Real Estate and Development Industry Forum, Standards Forum, Business Sustainability Committee, Customs and Trade Committee, Legal Committee, Women’s Professional Committee, and Young Professionals Committee.

US-China Aviation Cooperation Program

Building on the history of aviation cooperation that began in the 1970s, the US-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) promotes continued industry-wide collaboration between China and the United States. Formally founded in 2004, the government-industry partnership streamlined American companies’ interactions with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), successfully countering competition from Europe.[16]

Currently, ACP organizes training and education programs, informs aviation policy, and promotes collaborative projects to support the development of China’s aviation system. Its flagship publication is a quarterly magazine called Partnership.[17] ACP is endorsed by both the US and Chinese governments, drawing from the partnership of six public members and approximately 45 corporate members.[18]

US-China Healthcare Cooperation Program

The Healthcare Cooperation Program (HCP) is based on the US-China Public Private Partnership on Healthcare (PPPH) released during the January 2011 Summit between Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao. It is a multi-sector initiative to strengthen the healthcare system and ongoing US-China collaboration in this critical field.[19]

Export Compliance Working Group

Established in 2006, the Export Compliance Working Group (EGWG) draws from membership companies of AmCham China as well as AmCham Shanghai. Its focus is information-sharing, collaboration, and policy recommendations for US-China high-tech trade.[20]

US-China Agriculture & Food Partnership

The US-China Agriculture & Food Partnership seeks to resolve problems and create opportunities for the improved coordination and development of the US-China food and agriculture industries.[21] Since 2013, it has linked the public, private, and NGO sectors to promote food security, safety, and sustainability.[22]

Business Visa Program

AmCham China’s Business Visa Program was designed with the US Embassy to facilitate quick and convenient visa processing for the Chinese employees of qualified member companies. Although US Embassy officials ultimately decide whether or not applicants secure visas to the United States, this service speeds up the process.[23]

AmCham China Business Center

The AmCham China Business Center was launched in 2014 as a one-stop resource for people considering doing business in China. It offers a news bureau, industry reports, and business analysis pertinent to specific sectors. A service directory enables research into potential partners. Visitors to the website can also ask questions to a long-time business expert affiliated with AmCham China.[24]

References

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  9. ↑ File:Carol_Bowers_Affidavit.png
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  13. ↑ 2015 China Business Climate Survey Report. AmCham China. 2015
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