Chinese business community says proposed EU rules go beyond security needs

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China's business community has expressed concern over the European Union's (EU) draft revision to its Cybersecurity Act and the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, saying the measures go beyond what is necessary to safeguard security.

The proposed measures are inconsistent with the basic rules of the World Trade Organization, international commitments on trade in services and rules on investment protection, Yang Fan, spokesperson for the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said at a press conference on Friday.

Yang called on the EU to fully consider the views of the global business community during the legislative process and carefully assess the potential impact of the proposed legislation on China-EU business cooperation, the EU's own industrial development and the stability of global supply chains.

The EU should uphold technology neutrality and performance-oriented principles, remove or substantially revise country-specific and discriminatory provisions, and safeguard the shared interests associated with existing investments and the common interests in future China-EU cooperation, said Yang.

Chinese enterprises are important partners in Europe's digital transformation and industrial upgrading, Yang said, adding that China's business community stands ready to deepen cooperation with the EU in cybersecurity governance and green development, maintain an open, fair and non-discriminatory market environment, and help ensure global industrial and supply chains remain stable and unimpeded.

The draft revision to the Cybersecurity Act proposes excluding products and services associated with "high-risk suppliers" across 18 key sectors, including information and communications, energy and transport, while the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act would impose a range of restrictions on foreign companies' investment in the EU and participation in public procurement. ■