China in the World Trade Organization. Fulfillment of Investment-Related Reform Commitments as per WTO Accession Protocol

Project Report from the year 2020 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, grade: 1,0, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, course: China in the World Economy, language: English, abstract: The paper examines whether China fulfilled its reform commitments as set out in the WTO Accession Protocol for China and its appendixes. The paper focuses on investment-related reform commitments (non-discrimination/national treatment, forced technology transfers, intellectual property regime, SOEs and subsidies). China has been exposed to criticism that the requirements and obligations set out in the WTO protocol have not been fully met. China has faced backlash for the unequal treatment of foreign companies compared to domestic companies, for instance regarding market entry conditions, forced transfers of technology and know-how, the protection of intellectual property rights, the award of contracts in public tender procedures and access to financing. The People's Republic of China was also accused of strong state intervention and SOE subsidies to enable highly competitive prices in global trade, for example causing dumping prices. Arguably, this public opinion has gained even more traction due to the ongoing US-China trade war, with US-American punitive tariffs on Chinese exports exceeding US$ 500bn by 2020.