On July 30, local time in the United States, Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), met with Marisa Lago, U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, in Washington, D.C.
Ren Hongbin highlighted that the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has made major strategic plans for pursue high-standard opening up, presenting a rare opportunity for deeper cooperation between Chinese and American business communities. He stressed the importance of more frequent meetings, exchanges, and cooperation between the business communities of both countries, especially given the current context of U.S.-China relations. The CCPIT is willing to strengthen cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce, promoting exchanges and investment between enterprises of both countries through the US-China Commercial Match-Making Program (CMP). Furthermore, the CCPIT will better leverage its special working mechanism to serve foreign-invested enterprises, aiding American companies to develop in China. Ren hoped that the U.S. would likewise provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in the United States.
Lago highly praised the longstanding cooperative relationship with the CCPIT, emphasizing that the majority of U.S.-China trade remains unaffected by geopolitics. She agreed on the necessity for both countries’ business communities to strengthen communication and cooperation. Lago expressed willingness to expand collaboration with the CCPIT in areas such as the CMP to support more economic and trade exchanges between both sides.
The two officials also discussed topics including the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE).
Following this meeting, Ren Hongbin also met with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. They exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between the Chinese and American business communities.
