To enhance U.S.-China trade and reduce barriers to U.S. companies doing business in China, the U.S. Department of Commerce and China’s Ministry of Commerce, supported by our respective embassies and other agencies, held the 5th U.S.-China Administrative Law Dialogue on May 3 and 4.  The Dialogue is focused on improving mutual understanding of administrative law issues that impact businesses and discussing ways to reduce burdens on companies.  This year’s discussions were held in Washington, DC, and Annapolis, Maryland, and were led by John Cobau, the Chief Counsel for International Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce and Minister Zhu Hong of China’s Embassy to the United States.  China presented on key developments in its administrative law, including administrative agreements between the government and companies, the investment negative list, and e-government issues. U.S. experts presented on administrative law topics at the state level, including permitting and appeals.  The session also included opportunities for the business community to discuss the impact of administrative law on their business, with both U.S. and Chinese businesses speaking about these issues.  Representatives from academia, including from Georgetown University Law Center, Yale Law School, Tsinghua University, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School also participated in the discussions.  Maryland’s Secretary of State John Wobensmith led Maryland’s participation.  The 6th Dialogue will be held next year in China.