Chongqing- On May 29, The document 'Active Service in Construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and Inter-Administrative Region Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Complaint Handling Mechanism for Foreign-invested Enterprises' (Hereon referred to as 'Agreement') was signed in Chongqing, and followed by the awarding institutional workstation plaques for 'Foreign Investment and Enterprise Complaints Services.'

According to the agreement, relevant associations will work together to implement a cross-administrative mechanism for the resolution of disputes, upholding impartiality, and close partnership in coordination and mediation. The agreement also provides active guidance for foreign-invested enterprises in the resolution of disputes and conflicts, information exchange, joint investigation, as well as procedures for the acceptance and handling of complaints.

In recent years, positive results have been achieved in foreign investment as Chongqing and Sichuan continue opening up, largely due to enhanced protection afforded to the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors through a standardized management system and improved service quality.

According to the recent municipal government notice 'Establishment of complete service procedures for foreign investors,' there are five key systems detailed, which incorporate service management, leadership contacts, complaints mediation, regular forums, and cooperation exchanges.

The above systems will facilitate the resolution of difficulties encountered in the approval, construction, production, and operation of enterprise projects, and offer proposals to improve the complaints procedure, optimize regulations, enhance efficiency, which is aimed at strengthening investor confidence.

At present, the document "Several measures to further improve the utilization of foreign capital" is being drafted. Among the 25 proposals are measured to continue opening up, further promote investment, optimize the business environment, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors.

The Foreign Investment Complaints Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Government has standardized procedures for handling complaints in business-related disputes. The mediation mechanisms operate on provincial, city, and county levels, where 20 foreign enterprise complaint workstations have been established to serve over 50,000 companies throughout economic zones, industrial parks, and chambers of commerce. In 2019 alone, the province handled a total of 228 corporate complaints and recovered economic losses of 309 million yuan for enterprises.

The Chongqing Foreign Investment Enterprise Association and Chengdu Foreign Investment Enterprise Association have nearly 1,000 members, including many Fortune 500 companies in Sichuan and Chongqing. In recent years, they have played an active role in promoting investment, reform, social co-governance, and further improvement of the business environment.

The associations of the two places have organized members to participate in the investment and trade fairs in Sichuan and Chongqing on numerous occasions, and have accumulated vast experience in the resolution of issues concerning investment, production, and operation.

Signatories and institutions 

The two city's Complaint Handling Mechanism is jointly signed by the Foreign Complaint Center of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Complaints Center for Foreign Enterprises of Sichuan Provincial Government, and Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice. The recipients of workstation plaques for 'Foreign Investment and Enterprise Complaints Service are Chongqing Foreign Investment Enterprise Association, Chengdu Foreign Investment Enterprise Association, and Chongqing Overseas Friendship Association-Entrepreneur Branch in Chongqing, Hong Kong, and Macao. Deputy Director Fu Jiakang of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Deputy Director Wang Biao of Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice, and officials from the Foreign Complaint Center of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, Complaint Center for Foreign Enterprises of Sichuan Provincial Government, Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice and Foreign Investment Enterprise Association, Chengdu Association of Foreign Investment Enterprises, Chongqing Overseas Friendship Association-Entrepreneur Branch in Hong Kong and Macao attended the ceremony.