A man walks in front of the skyline of the Central Business district in Beijing, China, July 14, 2022.BEIJING — China pledged on Monday to treat foreign companies the same way as domestic peers in a bid to attract more foreign investment, co-operation and expertise, as Asia's largest economy moves to upgrade and strengthen its industrial chains.
For years, Western firms have complained of unequal access in China, a vast consumer market and also global supplier of raw materials and components. Western governments have expressed concern about "economic coercion", and companies have considered "de-risking" supply chains and operations away from China.
"The clearest indication of equal treatment will be when our members tell us they no longer experience these and other related challenges," he added. Premier Li Qiang on Sunday said China will continue efforts to build a first-class business environment and to welcome enterprises from all over the world to invest in the country.
Over 100 overseas executives and investors have attended the annual China Development Forum since the weekend, including companies with deep supply chains in China such as Apple and Siemens.