Dear Members and Friends

Welcome back from the summer break. 2020 continues to be an unusual year – and you have most likely spent your holidays in places you would not have considered 12 months ago and under conditions and precautions that are foreign to most Europeans.

The trade conflict between China and the US is still dominating the headlines, the overall situation has spiraled further downwards during the summer. We took notice of the updated list of items that cannot be exported from China, respectively need permission to be exported, issued on August 28, 2020. For the Swiss economy, the restrictions in the life science and IOT sectors are of most concern. The Chamber will discuss the matter with industry representatives and formulate a response on behalf of the Swiss economy to the relevant authorities. Also, as part of the regular exchange between the Chamber and the relevant governmental authorities, we are actively involved in the development of the Swiss government's China strategy.

Listening to medical experts, we will have to live with the above mentioned precautions for the foreseeable future. Social distancing and wearing a mask are going to stay with us. Against this background, the board – supported by advice from the anniversary sponsors – has made the decision to postpone the festive part of the 40-year anniversary of the Swiss Chinese Chamber of Commerce to late Spring 2021. By then, either a medical response to the pandemic will be available and/or the outbreak will be under control after the regular influenza season has passed.

The 2020 AGM will take place in line with the current federal and cantonal guidelines on October 29, 2020, late afternoon. Members who cannot or for medical reasons should not attend the AGM, will be able to appoint proxies well in advance. For statutory reasons, the AGM has to take place in the year of 2020, and cannot be postponed to 2021.

On a lighter note, we celebrated the actual date of the 40th anniversary on September 2, 2020, just last week. We have received several congratulations for which I would like to express a big «thank you».

Please check our website for updates on Covid-19 and webinars – and do not hesitate to contact us via email for questions. The Chamber continues to be your partner in these trying times. Please stay healthy, and welcome back from the summer break.

With best regards,

Felix Sutter

Is your business impacted by China's newly imposed export restrictions on technological goods?

If so, kindly let us know to what extent this impacts your business activities in China or elsewehere. We would anonymously advocate your concerns in upcoming discussions on this matter.

Please contact us at info@sccc.ch, we look forward to support you.

Yícùn guāngyīn yícùnjīn, cùnjīn nán mǎi cùnguāngyīn.

An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but an inch of gold may not buy an inch of time.