American Business in China: A Front Line Perspective

Business has been a driving force in expanding U.S.-China relations, and American companies of all sizes continue to enter the China market or expand their current operations at an unprecedented rate. What do American businesses operating in China see as key issues, and what steps can both countries’ governments take to improve the business climate? Three senior representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China (AmCham-China) will discuss these questions and others in a discussion with National Committee members and guests. Fresh from an extensive series of Washington meetings on U.S.-China trade issues with legislators and policy-makers, the AmCham leaders will share their views from the front lines in China to the hallways of Capitol Hill.

AmCham-China (www.amcham-china.org.cn) is a Beijing-based non-profit organization representing the interests of more than 2,600 companies and individuals doing business in China. James Zimmerman, AmCham-China chairman, is the chief representative and a partner in the Beijing office of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP. John Watkins, vice chair, is the chairman and CEO of Cummins (China) Investment Company Limited. Michael Barbalas became president of AmCham-China in November 2006, after working in Suzhou for Andrew Communications from 1997 to 2006.