China calls on foreign businesses to share their problems as investment slumps

BEIJING — China's Ministry of Commerce met with foreign businesses in Beijing this week in an effort to address operating challenges, but did not reveal much change on major issues.

The roundtable on Wednesday came as U.S.-China exchanges have ticked up — and both sides attempt to stabilize the tense relationship between the world's two largest economic powers.

While the Commerce Ministry meeting did not reveal much new progress on the 24 measures to support foreign business that were announced last summer, attendees said they were able to share specific challenges about doing business in China.

"The impression that most of us were left with was there's a genuine desire by MofCom to deliver on these measures," Jens Eskelund, president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, said in an interview, noting the ministry asked businesses to share "concrete examples."

"I think authorities were actually encouraging openness, and I think a number of participants were fairly direct in the comments they provided," he said.

However, the meeting did not provide clarity on when proposed changes to data export rules would take effect, Eskelund said. Forced technology transfers and a new law about state secrets did not come up in the meeting either, he said, noting that perceived discrimination in public procurement remains an issue.

In the fall, the Cyberspace Administration of China released draft rules that signaled a softer stance by saying no government oversight is needed for data exports if regulators haven't stipulated that it qualifies as "important." No final version has yet been revealed.

China this week also announced an updated law on state secrets would take effect May 1, emphasizing the country's growing emphasis on ensuring