Over 80 pct of surveyed foreign firms satisfied with China's business environment: CCPIT

Over 80 percent of surveyed foreign firms rated China's business environment as "satisfactory" or better, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

The survey report on China's business environment for foreign-invested enterprises in the fourth quarter of 2024, released by the CCPIT at a press conference on Friday, showed that over 80 percent of the surveyed firms have maintained stability in their industrial and supply chains in China.

Nearly 50 percent of the surveyed enterprises expect their investment profits in China to increase in the next five years, with nearly 50 percent of the surveyed European-funded companies and nearly 40 percent of the surveyed U.S.-funded companies sharing this expectation, according to the report.

The CCPIT also released the 2024 China Business Environment Survey Report at Friday's press conference, which showed that China's overall business environment is continuously improving with high-level satisfaction among both Chinese and foreign companies.

Nearly 90 percent of surveyed firms were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with China's business environment, marking an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to 2023.

"Market expectations remain optimistic. In 2024, over 70 percent of the surveyed enterprises reported stable or increased profits, a proportion similar to that in 2023. More than 60 percent of the surveyed companies expressed a positive outlook on China's prospects," said CCPIT spokeswoman Yang Fan.

China's business environment has been also proven satisfying by a business confidence survey report from the German Chamber of Commerce in China, which showed that 92 percent of the 546 German companies in China participating in the survey have planned to continue operation in China, with 61 percent planning to invest in new factories or equipment, and 50 percent planning to invest in research and development innovations.

"According to the surveyed German enterprises, long-term investment in China is driven not only by the country's vast market size, but also by the vitality of the Chinese market, its rich talent pool, well-developed industrial chain, and well-equipped infrastructure. This strongly proves that China remains a thriving land for foreign investment and business development," said Yang.

Over 80 pct of surveyed foreign firms satisfied with China's business environment: CCPIT

China will step up efforts to stabilize employment in 2026, said the head of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) at a press conference on Saturday.

Last year, China's top political advisory body issued policy guidance known as the "four stabilities", directing relevant ministries and departments to seek stabilization in the areas of jobs, firms, markets and expectations.

In response, the MOHRSS has implemented an employment-first strategy. According to Minister Wang Xiaoping, speaking at a presser on the sidelines of the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, the ministry will continue that strategy.

"We will further implement the employment-first strategy and requirements of the 'four stabilities', strengthen guidance, expand channels and prioritize key groups to make new progress in high-quality full employment," she said.

"In terms of 'stabilizing jobs', we will increase support for labor-intensive industries such as foreign trade, construction, accommodation and catering, with the aim of stabilizing employment positions while promoting the development of these sectors. In terms of 'expanding capacity', we will actively tap the employment potential in fields such as the digital economy, high-end manufacturing and modern services to achieve job growth alongside industrial upgrading. In terms of 'improving quality', we will effectively implement the adjustment mechanism for minimum wage standards, regulate the human resources market order, and fully enforce the guarantee system guaranteeing for migrant workers' wage payments, thereby elevating employment quality through strengthened rights protection," she said.

She noted that specific measures will be introduced to assist the upcoming wave of graduates.

"The number of college graduates in China is expected to reach 12.7 million this year. We will further improve policy measures, fully tap the employment potential of various channels and fields, expand employment space at the grassroots level, and help young people display their talents in all walks of life," she said.

China to boost employment with targeted measures: minister