Song Gang, Deputy Director General, Chongqing Commerce Commission
宋刚，重庆市商务委员会党组成员、副主任
What’s your favourite, best memory of the European Chamber experience?
Since early this year, global public health security has been facing challenges arising from the novel coronavirus pandemic. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (European Chamber) responded quickly to the outbreak and arranged with the Chongqing Commerce Commission to jointly organise policy talks and activities.
On 9th April, to boost the confidence of foreign investors in Chongqing of overcoming the adverse effects of the epidemic and facilitate normal operations of European enterprises in our city, our Commission and the European Chamber Southwest Chapter jointly hosted the Chongqing Municipal Conference on Helping Foreign-funded Enterprises Return to Work and Resume Production and Investment Promotion Policies, which was held online. The European Chamber gathered nearly 200 people, including representatives of 111 member enterprises, to attend the online conference. Representatives of the participating enterprises and municipal departments had direct in-depth exchanges on issues such as policies to support the resumption of work and production in enterprises and policies to attract foreign investment.
The conference got a great response from participating enterprises, with many saying they had established contacts, gained insights and boosted their confidence through the meeting. We were deeply impressed by the European Chamber’s efficient organisation and mobilisation capabilities and execution.
今年以来，全球公共卫生安全正面临新冠肺炎疫情带来的巨大挑战。中国欧盟商会反应迅速，与我委对接商讨共同举办政策宣讲会并积极做好活动的组织筹备工作。4月9日，为提振外国投资者对重庆的信心，推动在重庆的欧盟国家投资企业正常运营，由重庆市政府、中国欧盟商会共同主办，我委、中国欧盟商会西南分会承办的“重庆市助力外资企业复工复产暨招商引资政策宣讲会”克服疫情的不利影响，在重庆市商务委通过视屏连线的方式举行。中国欧盟商会快速组织了111家会员企业代表共近200人参加会议，参会企业与相关市级部门就企业复工复产扶持政策、招商引资政策等问题实时互动、深入交流；宣讲会取得了强烈反响，与会企业均表示通过会议建立了联系、掌握了情况、提振了信心。欧盟商会高效的组织动员能力和快速的执行力给我们留下了深刻的印象。
What’s the difference of China’s business/regulatory environment in your industry today vs. 20 years ago?
We have increasingly emphasised that productivity comes down to business environment, the concept of which has evolved from pursuing the advantages in resources and policies in the past to that of creating an international, legalized and convenient business environment. Over the past 20 years, China has carried out a lot of work in furthering opening-up, streamlining administration and delegating power, and protecting intellectual property rights. As a result, the improvements in the business environment are self-evident. The Doing Business 2020 report released by the World Bank ranks China’s business environment 31st out of 190 economies in the world, and for two consecutive years among the top 10 economies with the most improvements to the ease of doing business locally. This is undoubtedly a recognition of China’s continuous efforts in recent years to optimise the business environment. As part of this, Chongqing’s business environment has been reformed to facilitate opening up in inland areas.
我们越来越强调营商环境就是生产力，已由过去追求资源、政策的优势，转为更加注重打造国际化、法治化、便利化营商环境的优势。二十年来，我国在扩大开放、简政放权、保护知识产权等方面开展了大量卓有成效的工作，营商环境得到显著改善。世界银行发布的《全球营商环境报告2020》显示，中国营商环境在全球190个经济体中排名跃居第31位，连续两年跻身全球营商环境改善幅度最大经济体排名前十，无疑是对中国近年来持续努力优化营商环境的认可。重庆以建设内陆开放高地为目标，营商环境不断优化。
I. Continuous Improvement in International Business Environment
Over the past 20 years, the opening up and development of Chongqing has achieved positive results and significantly improved the city’s internationalizsation. The import and export volume of total foreign trade increased from United States dollars (USD) 1.78 billion in 2000 to USD 83.96 billion in 2019. The actual amount of foreign capital utilised increased from USD 340 million in 2000 to over USD 10 billion at present. Foreign direct investment in Chongqing is at the forefront of that in the west and central areas. The opening up of inland areas of Chongqing has achieved remarkable results.
In terms of opening access channels to and from Chongqing, this will be based on the advantage of [Xi Jinping’s] “two points” position, forming new patterns of interconnectedness in all directions as well as the four well-developed channels for transportation: water, highway, train and air. This includes the Yangtze River, which has continuously played its part in Chongqing’s development. In addition, the China Railway (CR) Express (Chongqing) has operated more than 4,500 trains and has become the main channel for overland China-Europe trade. The construction of new land and sea channels to the west has been upgraded to a national strategy. Rail lines now extend to 88 countries and 213 ports globally, while 95 international and regional routes have been opened. In terms of special zones, Chongqing has formed a ‘1+2+7+9’ national open platform system, all of which are operating well. The cooperative development mechanism of open platforms has been gradually established, and their influence continuously strengthened. In terms of opening ports, 18 ports and sites with port functions have been built, and the National Comprehensive Reform Pilot Zone for Inspection and Quarantine.has been approved. The “three mutual” large customs clearance mechanism with countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative has been continuously improved. In terms of opening up industries, Chongqing has sped up the cultivation of new industries, new formats and new models, and has become an important global production base for laptops and the largest automobile production base in China. The city now hosts 293 of the Fortune 500 corporations. In terms of opening up the business environment, the city’s public service system has been improved, and international exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been expanded, which is conducive to the administrative environment, legal environment and living environment.
一、国际化营商环境不断提升
二十年来，重庆的开放发展取得了积极成效，国际化水平显著提升。全市外贸进出口总额由2000年的17.8亿美元增长到2019年的839.6亿美元，实际利用外资金额由2000年的3.4亿美元增长到现在的实际利用外资保持100亿美元以上，外商直接投资居中西部前列。重庆内陆开放高地建设取得明显成效。开放通道方面，立足“两点”定位优势，东南西北四个方向、水公铁空四个方面全面发力，长江主通道作用进一步发挥，中欧班列（重庆）累计开行量超过4500列，成为中欧陆上贸易主通道，西部陆海新通道建设已上升为国家战略，线路延伸至全球88个国家、213个港口，开通国际及地区航线95条。开放平台方面，全市已形成“1+2+7+9”的国家级开放平台体系，各类开放平台运行情况良好，开放平台协同发展机制逐步构建，辐射性带动性不断增强。开放口岸方面，建成18个口岸和具有口岸功能的场所，获批国家检验检疫综合改革试验区，与“一带一路”沿线国家和地区的“三互”大通关机制不断完善。开放产业方面，加快培育新产业新业态新模式，成为全球重要的笔记本电脑生产基地和国内最大的汽车生产基地，累计落户世界500强企业293家。开放环境方面，城市国际化功能和公共服务体系不断完善，多领域国际交流合作不断扩大，有利于促进开放的政务环境、法治环境、人居环境不断优化。
II. Continuous Improvement in Law-Based Business Environment
Operating under the rule of law provides for the best business environment. In the past two decades, Chongqing has made great efforts to create a stable, fair, transparent and predictable business environment governed by the rule of law, to improve the legal system and standards system, to establish the Corporate Social Credit System, and to fully stimulate the vitality and creativity of the socialist market economy within this environment.
Chongqing fully implemented the Foreign Investment Law and its regulations, as well as the Regulation on Optimising the Business Environment, to provide a solid foundation as well as reliable and long-term legal guarantees to facilitate further opening up to the outside world. The promulgation of the Regulations on China (Chongqing) Pilot Free Trade Zone marks the Basic Law for the construction of and provides comprehensive legal guarantees for the Chongqing Pilot Free Trade Zone. The promulgation of the Chongqing Regulations on Optimising the Business Environment further systematises and standardises the policies, measures and experiences, thus providing more powerful guarantees and support in optimising the business environment from the institutional level.
二、法治化营商环境不断完善
法治是最好的营商环境。过去二十年，重庆市着力打造稳定、公平、透明、可预期的法治化营商环境，健全法规制度、标准体系，加强社会信用体系建设，用法治化环境充分激发社会主义市场经济的活力和创造力。全面贯彻落实《中华人民共和国外商投资法》及其实施条例、《优化营商环境条例》，为我市推进更高水平对外开放提供固根本、稳预期、利长远的法治保障。出台《中国（重庆）自贸试验区条例》，标志着重庆自贸试验区的建设有了“基本法”，为重庆自贸试验区建设发展提供综合法治保障。出台《重庆市优化营商环境条例》，把优化营商环境的政策措施、经验做法进一步系统化、规范化，从制度层面为优化营商环境提供更有力的保障和支撑。
III. A Continuously Optimising Convenient Business Environment
To serve all market entities better, Chongqing has thoroughly planned and taken measures to build an efficient, high-quality and convenient business environment. The reform of the testing and approval system and the commercial system has continued, focusing on issues such as separation/integration of certificates to reduce the frequency of testing, the time required for approval and processing, and expenses. We greatly reduced the tax burdens and administrative fees of enterprises as well as their external costs. We implemented the foreign investment management system of national treatment plus negative list, optimised the process for establishing foreign-invested enterprises in Chongqing, and promoted the facilitation of foreign investment. We will speed up the reform of the commitment system for investment projects, and the government will set standards and strengthen supervision. Enterprises that fulfill their commitments will achieve the ‘zero approval’ management, facilitation of cross-border trade and further reductions in customs clearance times for import and export.
三、便利化营商环境不断优化
为更好地服务市场主体，重庆认真谋划、多措并举，努力为市场主体提供高效优质便利的营商环境。深入实施审批制度和商事制度改革，围绕“证照分离”“多证合一”等事项，减少审批频率和办理时间，降低费用支出。大幅降低企业税负、行政事业性收费等，减少企业外部成本。全面落实准入前国民待遇加负面清单的外资管理制度，持续优化外商投资企业设立流程，促进外商投资便利化。加快投资项目承诺制改革，政府定标准、强监管，企业作承诺、守信用，最终实现“零审批”管理。提升跨境贸易便利化水平，进一步压缩进出口整体通关时间。
What do you expect to see China’s business/regulatory environment to change in 20 years?
President Xi Jinping pointed out that China will expand the fields of opening up, and the business environment will only get better and better, as more and more opportunities will be created for global multinational companies. The opening-up in China today is changing from a flow of goods and factors of production to a rule-based opening-up. This is what the world expects and what China needs. In the next 20 years, I look forward to seeing changes in the following two areas:
习近平主席指出，中国开放的大门只会越开越大，营商环境只会越来越好，为全球跨国公司创造的机遇只会越来越多。今日中国的开放，正从商品和要素流动型开放向规则等制度型开放转变。这是世界所盼，也是中国所需。未来二十年，我期待看到以下两方面的改变。
One is to create an international first-class business environment. Building such an environment is not only conducive to stabilising market expectations and stimulating the vitality of market players, but also has the benefits of attracting foreign investment and enhancing the international competitiveness of China’s economy. Our country already has a solid foundation for creating an international first-class business environment. Chongqing is also actively contributing to the business environment. In the future, Chongqing will focus on areas such as examination and approval services, innovation and entrepreneurship, investment and trade, enterprise management, market fairness, legal protection, social services, and government-business relations. It will facilitate the further development of efficient government services, an open and convenient investment and trade environment, a fair and competitive market, and a relaxed and orderly business environment.
一是营造国际一流的营商环境。营造国际一流营商环境不仅有利于稳定市场预期、激发市场主体活力，而且有利于吸引外资、提升我国经济国际竞争力。当前，我国已经具备营造国际一流营商环境的坚实基础。重庆也正在积极对标国际一流营商环境，做出应有的贡献。未来，重庆将聚焦审批服务、创新创业、投资贸易、企业经营、市场公平、法治保障、社会服务、政商关系等领域，不断营造便捷高效的政务环境、开放便利的投资贸易环境、公平竞争的市场环境、宽松有序的经营环境。
The second is to build a country
;, government;and society based on the rule of law. President Xi’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era has established the goal of governing the country by rule of law as one of its “eight fundamental issues”. The adherence to the rule of law as one of the basic strategies of adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. The establishment of a country ruled by law, a government ruled by law, and a society ruled by law as an important goal of making China into a modern socialist country by 2035 marks that the rule of law constitutes an important part of our party’s guiding ideology, strategies and goals, and provides a fundamental guideline. If we say that a country ruled by law is our goal and society is our foundation, then the government undoubtedly bears the main role. In the future, Chongqing will continue its efforts in accordance with the direction of a government ruled by law with scientific functions, statutory powers and responsibilities, strict enforcement of laws, openness and fairness, honesty and efficiency, and law-abiding integrity. This will open a new chapter in the construction of a government ruled by law by deepening the practice of ruling the country by law in the new era.二是建成法治国家、法治政府、法治社会。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想把全面依法治国总目标确立为 “八个明确”之一，把坚持全面依法治国作为新时代坚持和发展中国特色社会主义“十四个坚持”基本方略之一，把法治国家、法治政府、法治社会基本建成确立为2035年基本实现社会主义现代化的重要目标，标志着全面依法治国构成了我们党的指导思想、基本方略和奋斗目标的重要内容。如果说法治国家是我们的建设目标，法治社会是我们的建设基础的话，那么法治政府无疑承担着主体的角色功能。未来，重庆将按照职能科学、权责法定、执法严明、公开公正、廉洁高效、守法诚信的法治政府方向继续努力，在新时代深化依法治国实践中谱写出法治政府建设的新篇章。
What role do you expect the European Chamber to take in the next 20 years?
It is expected that the European Chamber will further play its role as a bridge and link between the government and European enterprises, build a platform for exchanges between companies in European countries and the Chinese government and domestic enterprises, encourage more European enterprises to invest in China, and cooperate with the Chinese Government and domestic enterprises effectively to promote the sound development of European enterprises in China. At the same time, it is expected that the European Chamber will play a greater role in assisting Chongqing’s open economic development and the construction of an economic circle in the Chengdu-Chongqing region, jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-funded enterprises in Chongqing, continuously provide more accurate and high-quality services, and further do a good job in assisting foreign investment in China.
期待中国欧盟商会进一步发挥政府与企业间的桥梁和纽带作用，搭建欧盟国家企业与我国政府、企业交流的平台，促进更多的欧盟企业来华投资兴业，与中国政府和企业开展有效合作，帮助欧盟在华企业健康发展。同时，期待中国欧盟商会在助力重庆开放型经济发展和成渝地区双城经济圈建设中发挥更大的作用，共同维护在渝外资企业的合法权益，持续提供更加精准和优质的服务，进一步做好外商投资工作。
What value has the European Chamber brought to you/your company/your industry?
For a long time, the European Chamber has maintained close cooperation with our city and has set up a platform for exchanges between enterprises from European countries and Chongqing, thereby making positive contributions to promoting cooperation between Chongqing and EU countries on economy and trade. The European Chamber regularly issues its Position Paper every year, which provides recommendations and direction on ways Chongqing could improve its investment environment and create an international, legalized and convenient business environment. The European Chamber has a large number of member enterprises, and also has a great influence on these companies. The Chamber jointly organised with our municipal government events to help European enterprises better understand Chongqing’s economic and social development, and invest in Chongqing and the development of the economic hub in the Chengdu-Chongqing region.
长期以来，中国欧盟商会与我市保持着密切的合作关系，搭建了欧盟国家企业与重庆交流的平台，为推动重庆与欧盟国家经贸合作做出了积极贡献。中国欧盟商会每年定期发布《欧盟企业在中国建议书》，为重庆改善投资环境提供了参考和努力方向，有助于我市打造国际化、法治化、便利化营商环境。中国欧盟商会拥有庞大的会员企业数量和对会员企业巨大的影响力。中国欧盟商会与我市联合组织举办的相关活动有助于欧盟企业更好地了解重庆经济社会发展情况，为欧盟企业来渝投资兴业和推动成渝地区双城经济圈建设作出贡献。
Song Gang, Deputy Director General, Chongqing Commerce Commission
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