Seventy percent of the German business community expects to further expand business over the coming years in China, according to a survey conducted recently by the German Chamber of Commerce in China (GCCC).

GCCC Chairman Jorg Wuttke said here Tuesday that the detailed findings of the survey, "Barriers in Sino-German Trade" are "optimistic," since more than 60 percent of all respondents believe that after 2006, German companies operating in China will enjoy the same business conditions that Chinese companies operating in Germany currently have.

In this first in-depth, nationwide survey by GCCC in China, many Germany companies or representative offices mainly active in manufacturing, trade and distribution were questioned, said Wuttke.

The survey, prior to the upcoming accession of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), also highlights the present complicated business environment in China, said Wuttke.

Although more than 80 percent of the respondents said they were confident that they will profit from reduced Chinese customs duties that were agreed upon in two to three years, 33.6 percent still expect non-tariff-related trade barriers to increase after China's WTO entry, according to the survey.

The survey shows that 68 percent of those questioned consider the lack of transparency in China's market structure an obstacle to business activities, and that over 80 percent think they don't get the chance to know about official regulations, as some regulations are not accessible in English.

GCCC sees its role as the platform of German industry in China, and it is active as a liaison with the Chinese government, Wuttke said.

"We have explicitly asked for recommendations on how to improve the business climate in China, and we will communicate them to the proper Chinese authorities," he said.

(People’s Daily 10/17/2001)