China says counterespionage does not affect foreign companies

The European Union fears the vagueness of the text As to what kind of data the Chinese government considers to be a threat to its “national security”.

Concern about the law is particularly prevalent in the pharmaceutical industryas foreign companies are afraid to try to certify manufacturing sites in China.

Fear of visiting factories and laboratories in China

The German Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers recently explained that many of its inspectors refuse to visit factories and laboratories in China for fear of being arrested under the new anti-espionage law.

They have been urging the government for years to take policy measures to resolve bottlenecks in drug supply, but China says it is committed to providing foreign companies with an environment they define as “market oriented” and “based on law“.

From mobilizing “all of society” to “nothing to worry about”

Last summer, the Chinese government called for the mobilization of “the entire society” to “prevent and combat espionage” and announced a series of measures to “strengthen national defense” against “foreign intelligence activities.”

Mao Ningspokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the new rule: “It is directed only at a handful of espionage activities that endanger national security, not to normal business activities. Therefore, as long as relevant companies and personnel can act in accordance with the law, there is nothing to worry about.”

China is a Major supplier of medicines of the European Union and these new restrictions risk disrupting pharmaceutical supply chains.

Additional sources • Enrique Barrueco (Voiceover)