China’s President, Xi Jinping, said the Chinese Government would not change its policy of attracting inward foreign investment. Mr Xi made his remarks in a written interview with the Wall Street Journal, quoted by Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua.
The interview was published on Tuesday, ahead of Mr Xi’s official visit to the United States.
“Attracting foreign investment is our long-term policy. Such policy will not change,” Mr Xi was quoted as saying.
“Nor will our protection of the lawful rights and interests of foreign companies in China, and our commitment to better services in favour of foreign companies in China,” the President added.
Mr Xi noted inward foreign investment has played a significant role in promoting China’s economic development. He also stressed China gives “equal and fair treatment to all market players” and welcomes “all forms of co-operation between transnational corporations and their Chinese counterparts”.
China last week approved a series of measures to attract investment, including that from foreign entities.
The new guidelines include changes in the resident registration system – to make it easier for foreigners to apply for permanent residence permits under certain conditions –, as well as a “negative list” identifying sectors and businesses that are off-limits for investment.
China’s new measures to attract investment also include a relaxation of border control policies, as well as encouraging state-owned enterprises to make use of private capital.
According to Xinhua, from January to August 2015, “the actual amount of foreign investment used by China totalled US$85.3 billion, up by 9 percent from the same period last year.
Mr Xi is paying a state visit to the United States from Tuesday to Friday at the invitation of U.S. President, Barack Obama.
