China sends sanctioned official to American Chamber of Commerce event in Beijing

The move demonstrated how US executives operating in China have little say over what political figures they are required to deal with.

The Chinese national emblem and flags are displayed above the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China | Representational image | Photo: Giulia Marchi | Bloomberg

Beijing sent a top official sanctioned by the U.S. to an AmCham China dinner, in a show of defiance that could feed criticism of the business group in Washington.

The Chinese government was represented at the annual American Chamber of Commerce event Thursday in Beijing by Wang Chen, a member of the Communist Party’s Politburo. Wang is also vice chairman of the National People’s Congress and among the 14 officials sanctioned by the U.S. on Monday over the body’s role in constraining freedoms in Hong Kong.

China often designates a representative with an economically focused portfolio, such as Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, the guest at last year’s dinner. Wang spent much of his career in various propaganda roles, including a stint as editor-in-chief of the People’s Daily, the party’s top mouthpiece.

Wang Chen, #China’s Deputy Chairman of National People’s Congress Standing Committee attends the @AmCham_China reception, despite #US targeted sanctions against himself. pic.twitter.com/EEwCYpm5ww

— Shen Shiwei沈诗伟 (@shen_shiwei) December 10, 2020

“Other developments this week involved political considerations, of which we’re not a part,” AmCham China Chairman Greg Gilligan said in an e-mailed statement, referring to the tit-for-tat sanctions imposed on officials from both countries. “We are an independent organization that aims to be a commercial bridge on behalf of our members between the U.S. and China.”

The group’s members include some of the best known corporations in America, such as Walmart Inc. and the Coca-Cola Co.

‘Totally Friendly’

Wang said Beijing would continue to create a favorable business environment for foreign companies and “treat all enterprises registered in China equally,” according to a report by state-run China Central Television. He said he hoped that AmCham could play an active role in facilitating two countries “re-launching dialogue, returning to normal tracks and rebuilding mutual trust.”

The move demonstrated how American executives operating in the world’s second largest economy have little say over what political figures they are required to deal with. The Trump administration has sanctioned dozens of Chinese officials in recent months, including two Politburo members, over their alleged roles in crackdowns on human rights in Hong Kong and the predominately Muslim region of Xinjiang.

The appearance by such an official at an AmCham event could feed criticism in Washington that the U.S. business community hasn’t sufficiently defended broader American interests while pursuing access to the Chinese market. Earlier this week, China censored a professor’s speech boasting about “‘China’s old friends’ on Wall Street, who had access and control over the D.C. politicians” after the remarks went viral in the U.S.

Wang made no mention of sanctions during his speech and the tone of his remarks was “totally friendly” said Henry Wang, president of the Center for China and Globalization. He added said sending a Politburo member “shows the high level of importance” with which China treats the event.

“We believe that fostering better communication between the people of our two countries is needed now more than ever,” said AmCham’s Gilligan. –Bloomberg