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25 Years of Advocating in China

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China was founded in 2000, with a goal of establishing a common voice for the various business sectors of the European Union and European businesses operating in China.

We have been helping:

European businesses to understand policy and market conditions, resolve their advocacy issues and expand their networks in China;
European authorities to understand the Chinese market and the operating conditions that European businesses face in China; and
Chinese authorities with constructive policy recommendations provided by various industries with a unified European voice.

We will continue to advocate for the future.

Milestones of Past 25 Years

The European Chamber had an impact right from the start. Our regular and high-quality publications are the key to strengthening our credibility. Their ever-increasing relevance and the continuity have been a common thread throughout the 25 years.

2000

Officially Recognised by Beijing [Read More];
51 Member Companies;
Jean-François Fichaux Elected President.

2000

2001

Peter Batey Took Over as President;
Mentioned in EU Commission’s Communication on EU’s Strategy towards China [Read More];
First Position Paper Published [Read More];
Membership: 220.

2001

2002

Ernst H. Behrens Elected President;
Shanghai Office Established [Read More];
Membership: 300
Petrochemical & Chemical Working Group Advocacy Success;
EU Trade Commission Lamy Met with Members;
EURObiz Launched as the Monthly Magazine [Photo]

2002

2003

First Annual Trip to Brussels [Read More];
Creation of Advisory Council [Read More];
Mentioned in the EU’s Policy Paper on China [Read More];
EU Trade Commissioner Lamy Met with Members [Read More] and Spoke at a Chamber Event [Read More];
Working groups: 20;
Membership: 350

2003

More Milestones

How We Change…

For the past 25 years, the European Chamber has organised numerous high- and working-level meetings for our members with both the Chinese and EU governments. The Chamber has also drafted and submitted hundreds of comments and letters to relevant authorities in China, in order to raise concerns and provide constructive recommendations on how to resolve them.

This work is recognised and welcomed throughout the Chinese Government and European institutions at all levels, and has helped to solve countless problems across many different industries.