欧盟营商环境报告2022_2023（英文版）-166页_5mb

CCPIT Academy: Business Environment of the European Union 2022/2023

1. China-EU Economic and Trade Cooperation

• Bilateral Trade: In 2022, China-EU trade reached RMB 5.646 trillion (5.6% year-on-year growth), with China exporting RMB 3.74 trillion and importing RMB 1.90 trillion.
• Chinese Investment in EU: Stock of Chinese direct investment in EU reached USD 95.9 billion (EU largest FDI recipient from China), with key sectors including manufacturing and IT services.
• High-Level Dialogue: Frequent China-EU dialogues (2022) focused on green economy, digital cooperation, and supply chain resilience.
• Third-Party Market Cooperation: Seven projects under the fourth round of Sino-French cooperation, involving Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, totaling over USD 1.7 billion.
• China-Europe Railway Express: Carried 1.6 million TEUs in 2022 (10% year-on-year growth), reducing logistics costs and time.

2. EU Business Environment Issues

• Market Access Barriers: The EU raised market access barriers through foreign investment reviews (e.g., Italy, Poland, Netherlands), foreign subsidies regulations, and public procurement tools (e.g., International Procurement Instrument).
• Discriminatory Practices: Chinese enterprises faced unfair treatment in foreign investment reviews, anti-circumvention investigations, and digital levies (e.g., GDPR compliance costs).
• Green Economy Regulations: Sustainability due diligence directives and carbon border taxes (CBAM) increased compliance costs and restricted market access.
• National Security Concerns: Expanded export controls on dual-use items and cybersecurity reviews disproportionately targeted Chinese companies.
• Public Security and Visa Policies: Tightening visa processing for Chinese workers and discriminatory public procurement practices.

3. Chinese Companies' Challenges

• Market Access: Compliance costs rose due to foreign subsidy reviews, sustainability reporting, and CBAM.
• Investment Restrictions: Anti-circumvention measures and gold power decrees (e.g., Italy) led to project cancellations (e.g., acquisitions banned).
• Public Procurement Discrimination: 46.88% of surveyed companies faced exclusion in EU public procurement.
• Operational Difficulties: Rising energy costs, inflation, and geopolitical tensions (e.g., Russia-Ukraine conflict) impacted business operations.

4. Recommendations

• Reduce Barriers: Eliminate retroactive reviews, narrow scope of foreign subsidy definitions, and increase transparency.
• Clarify National Security: Restrict export controls to legitimate security concerns and avoid over-regulation.
• Avoid Discrimination: Ensure equal treatment in public procurement, green policies, and visa processes.
• Enhance Cooperation: Resume ratification of the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) and deepen green and digital economy partnerships.
• Address Geopolitical Issues: Promote dialogue to counter politicization of Xinjiang-related issues and human rights accusations.

Key Conclusions

• The EU's business environment deteriorated in 2022, with significant barriers for Chinese enterprises, driven by protectionism, over-regulation, and politicized policies.
• Chinese companies seek EU engagement to improve market access and resolve unfair practices through high-level dialogue and policy reforms.