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

China

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

2024-10-31 19:55 Last Updated At：20:47

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.

EU, Finnish officials express concerns over US remarks on Greenland

Officials from the European Union (EU) and Finland have voiced concerns after the White House said it has been discussing "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told a press briefing in Cairo on Thursday that the message from the U.S. is "extremely concerning," and "not really helping the stability of the world."

Kallas called on all parties to stick to international law, adding that relevant response measures has been discussed among EU members.

"The international law is very clear, and we have to stick to it. It is clear that it is the only thing that protects smaller countries, and that is why it is in the interest of all of us. And we discussed this today, as well, that we uphold the international law on all levels," she said.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Thursday described recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump and members of his administration on Greenland as "worrying," while reiterating Finland's support for Denmark and Greenland's right to self-determination.

"Finland and the other Nordic countries have exceptional expertise in Arctic conditions, and we are happy to make use of that together with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to strengthen Arctic security, but it cannot be done by threatening allies," she said at a press conference at Finnish parliament after an extraordinary meeting of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee.

Johannes Koskinen, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said it was "unprecedented" for threats of violence to be made within NATO against another member in connection with seizing territory, adding that such threats run counter to the United Nations Charter and that their inconsistency with international law should be underscored at all levels.