Over 90 pct foreign-invested enterprises satisfied with China's business environment

The vast majority of foreign-funded companies operating in China are satisfied with the country's favorable business environment, according to a recent survey which polled over 400 major foreign companies.

Conducted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) during the third quarter of the year, the survey shows that the business environment concerning tax payments, market access and disputes settlement in China is widely applauded by foreign firms operating in China.

Key indicators such as market access, acquisition of business premises, and completion of business procedures received particularly high satisfaction ratings.

The report reveals that 41.67 percent of European companies view China's market prospects as "good," marking a 14.17 percentage point increase over the previous quarter.

American businesses displayed even stronger optimism, with 60 percent reporting increased market attractiveness, jumping 15.26 percentage points quarter-over-quarter. European firms followed suit at 47.92 percent, up 5.42 percentage points. "In terms of business condition, the surveyed foreign enterprises are more willing to invest in China," said Sun Xiao, spokesman of the CCPIT.

Nearly 20 percent of surveyed companies plan to boost their China investments, up 2.07 percentage points, with European firms showing particularly strong expansion plans. The amount of European companies willing to expand investment has increased by 2.5 percentage points over the previous quarter. "Next, we will continue to give full play to the special group serving foreign enterprises, constantly innovate the service methods for foreign-invested enterprises, and work together with all parties to provide better support and better services for foreign-invested enterprises in China and for the world," Sun said.

Over 90 pct foreign-invested enterprises satisfied with China's business environment

Over 90 pct foreign-invested enterprises satisfied with China's business environment

A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday said that the U.S. weapons will not narrow the cross-Strait military power gap and urged the U.S. to fully recognize the severe consequences of arming Taiwan which would surely backfire, and not to go further down the wrong path.

Zhang Xiaogang, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to the U.S. Defense Department's announcement on Oct 26 that the U.S. State Department has approved 1.988 billion U.S. dollars in arms sales to Taiwan.

"The U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region severely violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. This move seriously undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, disrupts China-U.S. relations, undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends wrong signals to the Taiwan separatist forces. We strongly condemn and firmly oppose it and have lodged solemn representations to the U.S. side," said Zhang.

Facts have proven time and again that the Taiwan separatists and foreign interference are the source of chaos that undermine the status quo, stoke crisis, and disrupt regional stability, Zhang said.

"The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. China urges the U.S. to fully recognize the severe consequences of arming Taiwan which would surely backfire, and not to go further down the wrong path. Several U.S. weapons will not narrow the cross-Strait military power gap, still less stop the historical trend of China's reunification," said Zhang.

US weapons will not narrow cross-Strait military power gap: defense spokesman