Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Friday held separate meetings with executives of three major international companies in Beijing to discuss business cooperation in key industries.
Wang met with the senior executives of Eli Lilly, Broadcom -- both U.S. multinationals -- and Germany's Mercedes-Benz, which represent three of the strategic sectors that China has been putting great efforts to advance, namely, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and automotive.
Wang and the three senior executives exchanged views on the topics such as the three companies' business development in China, and the opportunities and challenges the companies are facing.
During the meeting with David A. Ricks, CEO of the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, Wang said China remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding opening-up despite the complex international landscape.
Noting that multinational corporations are a steadfast force of globalization, Wang said that China hopes Eli Lilly and other foreign-funded companies will continue to invest in China and share the opportunities and dividends of Chinese modernization.
The company is welcome to establish innovation incubators in China and to collaborate with Chinese companies in developing and introducing more innovative products and services that will benefit the people of China and countries around the world, the minister added.
China's "two sessions" this year have sent positive signals for foreign investment, Ricks said, noting his company will increase investment and expand production capacity in China.
"Congratulations on completing the 'two sessions' with strong agenda for economic growth that was good for investors like Lilly to see. We noticed that document No. 53, 'Foreign Investments Stabilization Plan', which focuses on issues directly related to our bio-pharmaceutical industry," said Ricks.
During the meeting between Wang and Hock Tan, president and CEO of Broadcom, a technology company headquartered in the United States, the two sides exchanged views on topics including Broadcom's business development in China and cooperation between Chinese and U.S. technology companies.
China is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, actively promoting the deep integration of the Internet, big data, artificial intelligence and the real economy, advancing an "AI Plus" initiative, and fostering the growth of the intelligent industry, Wang said.
This will provide more opportunities for cooperation among global high-tech enterprises and technological advancements in related fields will also bring more benefits to humanity, he noted.
Wang emphasized that in the face of a complex and challenging international landscape, China remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding its opening up to the world.
China is committed to creating a stable, transparent and predictable investment environment for multinational corporations operating in the country, Wang said.
He added that China welcomes U.S. companies, including Broadcom, to continue investing in the Chinese market and share in its development opportunities.
Tan said that Broadcom will continue to provide stable and high-quality products and services to Chinese customers and partners and support China's high-quality development.
"I've been, and still am, a very strong supporter of free trade, particularly when it comes to my products, my business, which is technology," said Tan.
Noting that facilitating foreign investment and trade remains a top priority for China, Wang stressed cooperation to navigate a complex global environment.
"I'm very eager to hear about your company's experiences in China and how we can navigate the various challenges together," said Wang.
During the meeting between Wang and Ola Kallenius, chairman of Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group, the two sides exchanged views on Mercedes-Benz's cooperation with China, and the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.
Wang said China is committed to opening-up at a high level, adding that no matter how the international situation changes, China will never close its door to the outside world.
China's policy of attracting foreign investment is consistent and continuous, and the country will work to provide a more stable development environment and broader development space for foreign-funded enterprises, including Mercedes-Benz, Wang said.
Kallenius said the Chinese market is of strategic significance to Mercedes-Benz Group and that the company is willing to further expand investment in China, deepen cooperation with Chinese partners, and jointly cope with global economic and trade challenges.
The European automotive industry attaches great importance to cooperation with China, pays high attention to the dispute over EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, and hopes that the two sides can reach consensus through dialogue and consultation at an early date, he said.
Chinese commerce minister meets int'l executives on business cooperation in key sectors
Chinese commerce minister meets int'l executives on business cooperation in key sectors
