---
title: Cultural Challenges and Public Opinion Environment faced by Chinese Businesses in the U.S.
description: On September 22nd, 2020, China General Chamber of Commerce - USA (CGCC) hosted “Chinese Business Operations Responding to the Cultural Challenges and Current Public Opinion Environment in the U.S.” we
---

[Past Events ](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/past-events)

# [Cultural Challenges and Public Opinion Environment faced by Chinese Businesses in the U.S.](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/past-events/cultural-challenges-and-public-opinion-environment-faced-by-chinese-businesses-in-the-u-s)

 Written by [CGCC](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/past-events/author/cgcc) | Sep 24, 2020 9:41:25 PM

*CGCC’s 2020 Annual Business Survey spotlights a path forward for Chinese Enterprises in the U.S.*

On  
 September 22nd, 2020, China General Chamber of Commerce - USA (CGCC) hosted  
 “Chinese Business Operations Responding to the Cultural Challenges and Current  
 Public Opinion Environment in the U.S.” webinar, the third of its 2020 “The  
 Path Forward” event series. Over a hundred guests and representatives from CGCC  
 member companies and non-profit organizations joined the session.

With  
 the aim of interpreting recent policies and PR environment towards Chinese  
 businesses in the U.S. from a practical perspective, the webinar echoed with  
 key findings from [CGCC’s ](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/cgcc-2020-annual-business-survey-report-chinese-enterprises-in-the-united-states/?hsLang=en)[*2020 Annual Business Survey Report*](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/cgcc-2020-annual-business-survey-report-chinese-enterprises-in-the-united-states/?hsLang=en),  and further explored on the U.S. investment  
 environment, the upcoming U.S. presidential cycle, and business operations  
 between the two countries. As demonstrated in the survey results, cultural  
 differences between the U.S. and China emerged as one of the top challenges  
 operating businesses in the States. Meanwhile, more than 50% of surveyed  
 Chinese companies have been adversely impacted by the anti-China rhetoric and  
 fallout between the two countries during the coronavirus pandemic.

He  
 Jianzhong, Chairman of CGCC-Houston and SVP & Head of Houston Office of  
 ICBC (US) NA, delivered the welcoming remarks. “In a year marked by tumult, it  
 is crucial to ascertain how the Chinese businesses would adapt, innovate,  
 survive - and even thrive - through this uncertain time,” said Mr. He. He also  
 highlighted that “we hope today’s discussion can bring all of us one step  
 closer to finding peace and the opportunity for collaboration, growth, and  
 sustainability between the two largest economies in the world.”

The  
 panel brought together distinguished guests from the U.S.-China business  
 community including Xiao Yuqiang, Vice Chairman of CGCC, Chairman of US  
 Management Committee of ICBC, General Manager of ICBC New York Branch; Charles  
 C. Foster, Chairman of Foster LLP; Mark Duval, President of Terex Greater China  
 & General Manager of AWP Greater China, Immediate Past President of The  
 American Chamber of Commerce in China; and Jiang Feng, Director of M&A,  
 Zhejiang Hailiang Co., Ltd. David J. Firestein, President/CEO of the George H.  
 W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, moderated the discussion.

The  
 panelists shared their view on the current U.S.- China relations and how their  
 businesses/organizations have been impacted by the pandemic. Mr. Duval foresees  
 that “We are going to see increasing fragmentation around technology, data, and  
 sectors that links to national security interests.” While Mr. Xiao firmly  
 believes that  “from the long run,  
 decoupling is not beneficial for both parties.” He also pointed out that the  
 efforts of the two countries to work together and confront COVID-19 is more  
 important than pointing fingers at each other. Regarding the recently tightened  
 U.S. policies on immigration, “I expected some of the bans will expire at the  
 end of the year” said Mr. Foster. Mr. Jiang emphasized that the U.S. and China  
 are good partners as well as competitors, and despite the current fractions,  
 “economy speaks louder, the political climate is only temporary.” With the  
 current ban on WeChat and Tiktok, Mr. Duval believes that there is an element  
 of reciprocity and paranoia. Mr. Foster commented that “in a way, we are  
 cutting our nose off despite our face because everyone doing business with  
 China is on WeChat.”

At  
 the end of the discussion, panelists were asked by the audience what the U.S.  
 and China business leaders can do to be a voice and lead the bilateral  
 relationship back in the right direction. Mr. Duval said that it comes down to  
 the fundamental nature of platforms such as CGCC and AmCham, “it’s all about  
 communication, building bridges, and improving understanding. The more we  
 communicate and engage, the better we understand each other, and the better we  
 can work together.”

CGCC,  
 CGCC Foundation, and CGCC-Houston extend great appreciation to all the  
 panelists and participants for their support.

Please find event slides and speaker bio [here](https://www.cgccusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CGCC-2020-The-Path-Forward-Houston.pdf?hsLang=en).

 https://youtu.be/WM4bHEwq1ZM

[View full post](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/past-events/cultural-challenges-and-public-opinion-environment-faced-by-chinese-businesses-in-the-u-s)

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