BEIJING: China's rubber-stamp parliament will vote on Friday on a foreign investment law that was fast-tracked in what observers see as a bid to facilitate trade talks with the United States.
The bill will eliminate the requirement for foreign enterprises to transfer proprietary technology to Chinese joint-venture partners and protect against"illegal government interference" - major sticking points in the trade negotiations. The American Chamber of Commerce in China said in a statement that it"welcomes and appreciates this legislative effort to improve the foreign investment climate".
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China had earlier complained that Beijing was rushing the investment law to appease the United States. It also fleshes out criminal penalties for officials who leak confidential information they obtain from overseas businesses, the source added.