AN American Chamber of Commerce in China survey of its members found that 57 per cent of 477 respondents believed recent Chinese price fixing probes "singled out" foreign companies and were motivated for protectionist reasons.
American Chamber poll says members feel China probes are protectionistAN American Chamber of Commerce in China survey of its members found that 57 per cent of 477 respondents believed recent Chinese price fixing probes "singled out" foreign companies and were motivated for protectionist reasons.
Reuters also reported the survey also found that increasing protectionism had become the fifth greatest concern for businesses in China for the first time since 2010.
Labour costs, unclear laws, regulations and shortages of qualified staff and managers, still topped the list of complaints.
"There are concerns that China will take an approach, that when the economy slows down, they become more protectionist," said chamber chairman James Zimmerman.
Qualcomm Inc agreed to pay a US$975 million fine, the largest in China's corporate history, ending a 14-month government investigation into anti-competitive practices.
Four big business groups have protested how China’s antitrust regulators conduct probes. At least 30 overseas firms, including Microsoft Corp and Samsung have come under scrutiny.The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which conducted the Qualcomm investigation, has defended its practises and said it does not target foreign companies.
Cyber security, the risk of intellectual property leakage and data security threats were greater in China than in other markets, according to 60 per cent of survey respondents.
Business lobbies have also warned that foreign technology vendors could be locked out of China business or forced to disclose sensitive intellectual property as the country implements new cyber security regulations.