Double-edged sword

Many American businesses have a somewhat gloomy opinion of potential Chinese protectionism and the regulatory climate here, but most plan to expand their operations and are making money in China, according to a new survey released Tuesday by the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

The survey underscores continuing unease over China’s regulatory climate for international businesses and disappointment over lack of progress on key issues like access to the Chinese market and protection of intellectual property rights. Despite all that, AmCham says its member companies are invested in China for the long haul. The report says 83 percent of the companies it surveyed plan to increase their investment in China, even though unclear regulations, bureaucracy and intellectual property rights remain critical concerns.