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Information Gathering Survey for the 2025/2026 Inter-Chamber SME WG Position Paper

At the EU SME Centre and the European Chamber, the preparatory work for the development of the 2025/2026 Inter-Chamber SME Working Group Position Paper has started. The Position Paper is our annual signature publication, as it is used in exchanges with European and Chinese policymakers to advance the interests of the European small business community in China and improve their market access/operating conditions in the country. The Paper is developed through a bottom-up approach, with European industry players actively contributing to its drafting. In this context, we would like your input to ensure that the paper accurately reflects the concerns and recommendations of European SMEs operating in China. Your feedback will help us advocate for a better business environment for SMEs in China.
This survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will remain anonymous and will only be used for the purpose of shaping the Position Paper.
Thank you for your time and valuable input!
1.What is your company’s primary industry sector?(Required.)
2.Where is your company headquartered?(Required.)
3.How many employees does your company have worldwide?(Required.)
4.How long has your company been operating in China?(Required.)
5.Where in China is your company based?(Required.)
6.What percentage of your revenue in China comes from the following customer types?(Required.)
Less than 10%
10-50%
More than 50%
European companies (B2B)
Chinese companies (B2B)
Other international companies (B2B)
European consumers (B2C) -- exports
Chinese consumers (B2C)
Other international consumers (B2C) -- exports
7.How significant are the following challenges for your business in China? Please rate on a scale from 1 (Not an issue) to 5 (Critical issue).(Required.)
1
2
3
4
5
Access to financing
Regulatory transparency and administrative burden
Late payments and other cashflow issues
Intellectual property protection
Talent acquisition and retention (work permits, senior talent policies)
Rising operational costs (taxation, healthcare, education for foreign employees)
Competition with state-owned enterprises (SOEs)
Competition from Chinese private companies
8.Have you experienced any of the following challenges in accessing financing in China? Select all that apply.(Required.)
9.Which of the following red tape/administrative issues have you encountered in China? Select all that apply.(Required.)
10.Have you faced challenges with late payments or unreasonable payment terms from clients in China? Select all that apply.(Required.)
11.How would you rate the current state of IPR protection and enforcement in China? Please rate on a scale from 1 (Extremely poor) to 5 (Excellent).(Required.)
12.Have you encountered any specific issues with IPR protection or enforcement in China? Select all that apply.(Required.)
13.[OPTIONAL] Can you provide specific examples or case studies that illustrate the challenges your company has faced in China? (if included in the draft Position Paper, all information will be anonymised).
14.[OPTIONAL] Are there any additional concerns or recommendations that you believe should be included in the 2025/2026 Position Paper?