Policy Insights

10 February 2020, Beijing—Last week the British chambers of commerce in China surveyed our members on the impact of the […]

The novel coronavirus is likely to bring 2020 annual GDP down to 5.4-5.7%. The economy has mainly been affected by an unexpected drop in household consumption, supply chain disruption and the uncertain investment environment. British businesses are optimistic about long-term economic recovery and remain committed to the market.

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● The depreciation of the renminbi below 7 to the US dollar last week marks a significant development in the US-China trade war. ● In addition to increased production costs, companies may see a slight rise in the rate of inflation. ● Signals from Beijing indicate that after the initial drop, the renminbi is unlikely to devalue too dramatically, unless further developments in the trade war push Beijing towards a more aggressive monetary policy.

Tuesday 30th July marked the implementation of China’s revised Negative and Encouraged Lists for foreign investment by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). These effectively act as a manual for foreign businesses in China to understand which sectors they are prohibited and restricted from investing in by the authorities, and which enjoy incentives.

The UK is scheduled to exit the European Union on the 31st October 2019. With the final two Conservative Party leadership candidates, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, refusing to rule out the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, British businesses must now prepare for the potential subsequent fallout. A no-deal Brexit would mean the end of the UK’s access to the European Single Market and Customs Union, replaced by alignment with World Trade Organisation rules on cross-border trade.