The Chinese government and Chinese companies are of great importance to the global economy. From the point of view of German and European companies, they are competitors in the competition, but also partners in the production of goods in a widely diversified supplier system.
In the local political discourse on higher standards, ‘China’ repeatedly serves as a hanger for the prevention of mandatory regulations – these are then a ‘competitive disadvantage’. There is a lack of knowledge of Chinese approaches to regulating supply chains. The legal approaches, guidelines and standards listed here show that the Chinese government is studying the impact and sustainability of its foreign involvement in detail, including in the raw materials sector.
Nevertheless, there is a lack of mandatory measures to ensure compliance with sustainability and human rights standards by Chinese companies abroad. China is not alone here. In both Europe and China, there is a lack of legal remedies for those affected by human rights violations or environmental disasters.
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