Business and Human Rights

In a report dated August 12, 2009, a World Trade Organization (WTO) expert panel (Panel) found that certain Chinese regulations restricting the ability of foreign companies and Chinese-foreign joint ventures to import or distribute (1) reading materials, (2) audiovisual home entertainment (AVHE) products, and (3) sound recordings, as well as to import films for theatrical release, were in violation of WTO rules. According to the Panel's report, reading materials include books, newspapers, periodicals, and electronic publications; AVHE products include videocassettes, VCDs, and DVDs; and sound recordings include recorded audio tapes and CDs as well as "ringtones" and "ringback tones." The Panel's report stems from a Request for Consultations filed by the United States in April 2007, according to the WTO Web site.

Lead Poisoning in Children Triggers Protests by Parents

(Passed by 21st Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 9th National People's Congress and Promulgated by Decree No.50 of the President of the People's Republic of China on April 28, 2001) Contents Chapter 1 General provisions Chapter 2 Establishment of a trust Chapter 3 Trust property Chapter 4 Parties to a trust Section 1 Trustor Section 2 Trustee Section 3 Beneficiary Chapter 5 Change and termination of trust Chapter 6 Public trust Chapter 7 Supplementary provisions Chapter 1 General Provisions Article 1 This law is formulated in order to regulate the trust relationship, normalize trust practice, protect the lawful rights and interests of the parties to a trust and promote the healthy development of the trust business.

The Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), a high-level trade forum between the United States and China, met in Hangzhou, China on October 28 to 29. The JCCT is focused on concrete trade issues with a set of "deliverables," unlike the other annual dialogue on economic issues, the Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), which is focused on the broader, economic U.S - China relationship. In its fact sheet of October 29, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) reported results of discussions at this year's JCCT, including outcomes on agricultural trade, market access for wind turbines, Chinese government procurement, intellectual property rights (IPR), medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and travel and tourism.

The first joint meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) was held in Washington, DC from July 27-28, 2009. The meetings focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interests. This first meeting also set the stage for intensive, ongoing and future bilateral cooperative mechanisms. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted, and were joined by their respective Chinese Co-Chairs, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan.

Online Resources on the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue: