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The American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China (AmCham China) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization it has 4,000 individual members from 900 companies operating across China. The chamber provides information, networking opportunities, business support services, and advocacy to promote a mutually beneficial bilateral business environment for the U.S. and China.

AmCham China is the only officially recognized chamber of commerce representing American businesses in mainland China. AmCham China has more than 50 industry- and issue-specific Committees. These working groups serve as a platform for the American business community and other organizations in China to foster understanding, share information, pursue common interests, promote trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation.

History

The first American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing (then Peking) was established in 1919, with eight founding member companies, including Standard Oil. The organization disbanded when war broke out, and the chamber did not reform until 1981. AmCham China was formally registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs in 1991. As a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the business success of its members, AmCham China is not affiliated with any branch of government.

Structure

AmCham China is a member-led organization rooted in the vision, hard work, and dedication of its members, many of whom are leaders within their companies and the business community. Currently, its national level operations are guided by the Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons, and 10 governors who comprise the organization's Board of Governors. All voting members of AmCham China are eligible to participate in an annual election to select the Board.

AmCham China’s Annual Government Appreciation Dinner

The Annual Government Appreciation Dinner, first held in December 2000, is one of AmCham China’s key events. The inaugural event hosted over 400 guests, including U.S. Ambassador Joseph Prueher and Shi Guangsheng, Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. Since its inception, the Dinner has been attended by senior Chinese and U.S. officials, such as Vice Premier Wu Yi in 2007, Vice Premier Wang Yang in 2015, and Vice President Han Zheng in 2024, along with various U.S. Ambassadors to China. The Dinner serves as a platform for engagement between AmCham China members and government representatives, facilitating discussions on economic and trade issues.

Chapters

AmCham China's headquarters are located in Beijing's Central Business District. In addition to the headquarters in Beijing, AmCham China serves Tianjin, Central China, Northeast China, and Southwest China through our Chapters in Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Chengdu. Across those locations, AmCham China has more than 30 working groups, and holds more than 300 events each year.

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors consists of 14 voting individuals: the Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons, and 10 governors. The Treasurer, the General Counsel, the President, the most recent former Chairperson of the Board of Governors, and the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of any Chapter serve as non-voting ex-officio members. The Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing and making policy decisions for AmCham China. It meets to discuss ongoing matters of the chamber at least six times per year. The Board also selects and appoints the President to supervise and direct all employees of the Chamber.

Chair

The Chair must be a citizen of the United States and have a record of active participation in the Board of Governors, a Chamber committee, or a Chamber forum within the two years prior the election. The Chair is eligible for two one-year terms, but it is possible for former Chairs to run again for additional non-consecutive terms. At the end of one's term, the former Chair may continue serving as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Board unless otherwise elected as a regular Board member.

In addition to playing a general supervisory role in AmCham China's organizational development, the Chair presides over all Board of Governors meetings, executes the decisions of the Board of Governors, appoints the head of each committee and forum, and represents the chamber in external relations. The Chair also appoints the Treasurer and General Counsel of the Board of Governors.

List of Past Chairs

• 2025 Alvin Liu
• 2024 (Nov-Dec) Roberta Lipson
• 2024 (Jan-Oct) Sean Stein
• 2022-2023 Colm Rafferty
• 2020-2021 Greg Gilligan
• 2018-2019 Timothy P. Stratford
• 2016–2017 William Zarit
• 2015-2016 James Zimmerman
• 2013-2014 Greg Gilligan
• 2011-2012 Ted Dean
• 2009-2010 John D. Watkins, Jr.
• 2007-2008 James Zimmerman
• 2005-2006 Emory Williams, Jr.
• 2004 Jim Gradoville
• 2002-2003 Christian Murck
• 2000-2001 Timothy P. Stratford
• 1999 Richard Latham
• 1998 (Second half) Min-Hwa Hu Kupfer
• 1998 (First half) Rudy Schlais
• 1997 John Holden
• 1996 James L. McGregor
• 1995 William Warwick
• 1994 Phil Carmichael
• 1992-1993 John Hart
• 1990 Irl Hicks
• 1989 Lucille Barale
• 1985-1986 Sally Harpole
• 1983-1984 Peter Lighte

Vice-Chairs

The Vice-Chairs provide consultation and assume appropriate roles as designated by the Chairperson. In the Chairpersons absence, a Vice-Chairs may preside over meetings and assume the Chairpersonship in the case of the Chairpersons resignation.

Election Committee

The Election Committee supervises and reviews the election process for Board of Governors positions. It is selected by the Board of Governors from voting members of AmCham China. Election Committee members are prohibited from running for any position on the Board of Governors in the upcoming election, and current officers or members of the Board of Governors may not serve on the Election Committee.

Membership

AmCham China's membership includes 4,000 individuals and 900 companies. For an annual fee, membership is offered to major multinational companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and other individuals involved with China.

Categories

In 2000, AmCham China specified 10 different membership categories for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. The Board of Governors then introduced five streamlined membership options in 2012. The new main categories are as follows:

1) Chairman's Circle: An enhanced leadership group for business intelligence, access, and influence. For over 20 years, AmCham China has played a leading role in US-China relations. These select members have the opportunity to join an exclusive group that will enjoy enhanced leadership status within the community, receive advanced business intelligence, access, influence, and exposure for their business.

2) Large corporate: Companies with global revenues of US $50 million or more.

3) Small corporate: Companies with global revenues of US $1-50 million.

3) Venture corporate: Companies with global revenues of less than US $1 million.

4) Voting Individual: Voting members receive one vote per year to elect the new Board of Governors, must be US citizens.

5) Young/Senior Professionals: Discounted membership for young/senior professional US citizens without voting rights.

Publications

American Business in China White Paper

For over two decades, the annual American Business in China White Paper has been one of AmCham China's signature products and codified members’ collective insights on the current business climate in China, while setting the chamber's official position regarding high-priority issues that affect the American business community in China. The White Paper also serves as an annual assessment of the progress made on policies and regulations and is a key platform for discussion and engagement with the Chinese and U.S. government.

The White Paper includes an annual Recommendation Scorecard measuring progress in a wide range of policy areas. The 2017 White Paper found the most significant progress in banking and capital markets regulation, business sustainability and non-profit engagement. Meanwhile, several areas, including agriculture, automotive policy, and securities investment saw little or no legislative progress.

The 26th edition of the American Business in China White Paper explores the cross-cutting, industry-specific, national, and regional issues faced by AmCham China’s member companies in 2023 and early 2024. Each chapter offers practical recommendations for addressing challenges facing the American business community that will, if implemented, benefit both foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) and the Chinese economy. We hope that this year’s White Paper will serve as a constructive tool for both the US and Chinese governments and offer a comprehensive set of recommendations for both countries as they work towards greater mutual understanding and successful resolution of outstanding company concerns.

China Business Climate Survey Report

For over twenty years, AmCham China has been conducting the China Business Climate Survey (BCS) to reflect on the business performance and outlook of member companies in China. The BCS report serves as an important reference for understanding the overall sentiment of the American business community in China. It offers valuable insights into critical topics for both Chinese and US policymakers, as well as foreign enterprises looking to invest in and operate within China.

AmCham China Quarterly Magazine

The AmCham China Quarterly magazine delivers high-quality, unique business and policy insights to the executives of our almost 1,000 member companies and the greater business community, including many government stakeholders.

The Quarterly taps into the wealth of expertise and perspectives stemming from our members to provide a window into the industries, policies, and developments surrounding business in China, US-China relations, and the cutting edge of corporate innovation around the globe.

Activities

Committees

AmCham China’s 30+ industry Committees lead the Chamber's advocacy, industry relations, and community development. There are Committees focusing on industry sectors, corporate functions, and special issue-based interests that well represent American businesses operating in China.

US-China Aviation Cooperation Program

Established in 2004, and endorsed by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) is committed to working with CAAC, Chinese airlines, airports, associations, research institutes and aviation experts to strengthen safety, capacity and efficiency in China’s aviation system. ACP is an innovative public-private initiative that enhances friendship and partnership and promotes bilateral trade relations between the US and China.

With nearly 36 corporate members from various disciplines within the aviation industry, the program is co-chaired by FAA and Boeing and its public members include FAA, US Embassy, TSA, and DOT. ACP friends and partners include CAAC, State Air Traffic Control (ATC) Commission, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), IATA, Chinese airlines, and Chinese airports.

Each year, ACP programs millions of dollars of assistance with help from ACP’s 36 US member companies, and USG advisors. ACP’s work is grouped into several categories deemed as priorities for ACP assistance. This assistance takes the form of training, studies and technical assistance, US orientation visits, workshops, and symposiams. 

US-China Healthcare Cooperation Program

The U.S.-China Healthcare Cooperation Program (HCP) is a collaborative initiative, founded in 2011, based on a joint public-private partnership in healthcare announcement, striving to build closer working relations between the U.S. and China governments while leveraging healthcare industry strengths in order to foster long-term cooperation with China in the areas of technology, public health, policy research, training, and R&D, and to support the Chinese government's goal of enhancing patient access to healthcare services in China. Government agencies, including the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Department of Commerce, US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, and Ministry of Commerce of China, have participated and provided guidance in this program. The Program follows two highly successful, siting US-China public-private partnerships that operate under AmCham China's umbrella (Aviation Cooperation Program and the Energy Cooperation Program).

HCP membership includes 27 companies and 7 non-profit organizations and associations, covering healthcare services, medical devices, pharmaceutical companies, medical insurance, healthcare IT, consulting and various other areas. The Program features four working groups addressing key issues shaping healthcare development in China, including Hospital management and Healthcare IT, Healthcare Financing, Disease Prevention & Health Management, and Quality & Safety that each host various workshops, trainings, and study tours."

U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program (ECP)’s mission is to act as a bilateral public private partnership platform to facilitate business cooperation between US and Chinese companies, advance sustainable development in the energy industry and combat climate change. Since its inauguration, the US-China Energy Cooperation Program (ECP) has actively engaged in in-depth exchanges and cooperation with the relevant government agencies, industry groups, scientific research institutions and enterprises of the United States and China. At present, more than 20 Chinese companies have long-term strategic cooperation agreements. Each year ECP holds business workshops and field visits in a dozen of provinces. ECP's working groups cover a range of issues including energy supply, energy systems and integration, energy demand, crosscutting support.

Export Compliance Working Group

Established in 2006, the Export Compliance Working Group (ECWG) draws from membership companies of AmCham China as well as AmCham Shanghai. Its focus is information-sharing, collaboration, and policy recommendations for U.S.-China high-tech trade.

U.S.-China Agriculture & Food Partnership

The U.S.-China Agriculture & Food Partnership seeks to resolve problems and create opportunities for the improved coordination and development of the U.S. and Chinese food and agriculture industries. Since 2013, it has linked the public, private, and NGO sectors to promote food security, safety, and sustainability.

The U.S.-China connection is the indispensable relationship of the 21st Century – and food and agricultural trade is a key strategic pillar of the overall bilateral economic partnership. U.S. and Chinese agriculture and food linkages are expected to deepen further because of tremendous potential synergies driven by different endowments of land, labor and capital. To be sure, the relationship has yet to reach its fullest potential. The overall agricultural trading relationship is robust and has tremendous growth potential. However, continuing trade frictions, the influence of non-agricultural issues, and perhaps underdeveloped links between the U.S. and Chinese agriculture and food industries have all diminished what should be a fully positive and mutually beneficial relationship. However, with the continuing emergence of China's middle class, persistent concerns about food prices, and the development of competitive food and agricultural firms on both sides of the Pacific, there is tremendous potential for further trade, investment and cooperation.

The U.S.-China Agriculture & Food Partnership focuses specifically on changing both the tone and substance of the bilateral relationship. By resolving problems and creating opportunities through increased coordination, more effective issue advocacy and the development of a more positive relationship between the U.S. and Chinese food and agriculture industries. The organization also serves as a platform to connect business with relevant government entities in a more coherent way and builds upon themes of food safety, food security and sustainable agriculture.

Criticism

In 2020, AmCham China drew attention for featuring Wang Chen, a U.S.-sanctioned member of the Chinese Communist Party, as a guest at their annual Appreciation Dinner, which prompted criticism.

Following the report, US Congressman Michael McCaul, Lead Republican on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "It is unconscionable for the American Chamber of Commerce in China to host a Chinese Communist Party official under U.S. sanctions at its annual appreciation gala. If American businesses are being forced to celebrate and toast Party officials who trample our values, then the U.S. government must continue to do all it can to protect our national interests. I trust AmCham China and its Board of Governors will explain this truly regrettable and disappointing decision in a transparent manner to their companies and Congress without delay. Their reputation as a credible voice of American business depends on it."

References

1. "Board of Governors".
2. "Board of Governors".
3. "Quarterly Magazine – 2024 Issue 4".
4. "China Business Climate Survey Report". February 2024.
5. "American Business in China White Paper".
6. "Staff".
7. "Vision, Mission, and Core Values".
8. "About Us". AmCham China. Archived from the original on 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
9. "AmCham China's Committees". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
10. ^ "Constitution and By-Laws". AmCham China. Archived from the original on 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
11. ""Form Chamber in Peking, page 22"". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
12. "AmCham China, Central China Chapter". AmCham China. Archived from the original on 2010-02-20. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
13. "AmCham China's Appreciation Dinner". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
14. "About Us". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
15. "Membership Process & Benefits, Membership Categories". AmCham China. Archived from the original on 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
16. "AmCham China Memberships". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
17. ^ "American Business in China White Paper". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
18. Tim (2024-02-01). "China Business Climate Survey Report". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
19. "[Beijing, EN] 2025 China Business Climate Survey Report Launch | AmCham China". Glue Up. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
20. ^ Tangen, Norris (2025-01-06). "Quarterly Magazine – 2024 Issue 4". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
21. ^ "AmCham China's Committees". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
22. ^ "US-China Aviation Cooperation Program". AmCham China. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
23. "Publications". AmCham China. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-18.
24. "McCaul Statement on AmCham China Hosting Sanctioned CCP Official at Appreciation Gala - Committee on Foreign Affairs". United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.

• American Chambers of commerce
• Business organizations based in China