“Time for action: Business & human rights in Greater China”

(including mainland China, Hong Kong & Taiwan), August 2014

Through rapid economic growth, Greater China has made massive progress in realising many social and economic rights, and lifting millions out of poverty. However, there remains a huge gap between international standards on business and human rights such as the UN Guiding Principles, and the actual human rights practices of companies (whether Chinese, or headquartered overseas), as well as the government in this area.

This briefing surveys alleged abuses in areas such as labour rights, environmental pollution, freedom of expression and privacy. It analyses the ways in which companies are responding to these allegations – with a 77% response rate from overseas firms operating in or sourcing from Greater China, and a 50% response rate from firms headquartered in Greater China. However, when Chinese firms do respond, they are more likely to do so in significant detail (52% versus 38%). It makes recommendations to companies and the government for rapid and effective action to embed human rights in business models, benefitting business, workers and local communities.

Press release:                   English     Chinese

Executive summary:      English     Chinese

Full briefing:                      English     Chinese

Commentaries: 

"Signs human rights are moving slowly up the agenda in corporate China", Lowell Chow, Greater China Researcher & Representative, on Guardian Sustainable Business, 17 September 2014

"Protecting workers' rights is good for business, in China and elsewhere", Lowell Chow, Greater China Researcher & Representative, in South China Morning Post, 27 August 2014

Other coverage:

"Report calls for step change on human rights conduct of business in Greater China region", CSRwire, 27 August 2014

"NGOWatch – October 2014", by Nadine Hawa, Ethical Corporation, 9 October 2014