More than 60 percent of Chinese companies active in the European Union (EU) are concerned about the negative economic impact of the coronavirus, according to a survey released on Tuesday by the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) headquartered in Brussels.
The survey was conducted in early March among the CCCEU's members. One hundred Chinese companies were queried, of which 61 percent responded.
According to a summary report released on Tuesday, most respondents said they expected the pandemic's negative effects to continue at least into the second quarter of this year. Eighteen percent of the companies remained optimistic, and an equal proportion said they were not sure about what to expect.
"Mounting difficulties, unexpected disruptions and rising uncertainties are changing the already challenging business landscape between China and the EU. As the survey findings tell us, the European market is not an easy one. These companies are cautiously optimistic about their future business activities in Europe," said CCCEU Chair Zhou Lihong.
The CCCEU also came up with five policy recommendations, such as providing practical support to the affected companies and ensuring that Chinese-funded enterprises can enjoy the same supportive measures as other European enterprises.
The survey results were released on the eve of the CCCEU's first anniversary. The chamber was inaugurated on April 8, 2019, in Brussels.
A year down the road, the chamber has expanded its membership and its Secretariat, and remains committed to facilitating sustained dialogue and information-sharing between the EU and Chinese stakeholders, it said.
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