China's foreign investment policies are empowering biomedical enterprises to expand domestically and globally.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held a Foreign Invested Enterprises Tour of south China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday, presenting business opportunities as well as the country's consistent policies for further opening up in a world wracked by economic uncertainty.
China continues to welcome foreign investment, and its biomedical sector, including pet healthcare, is set to grow and expand.
Joey Yeo is among hundreds of international business leaders on the tour. As the founder of two pet healthcare startups in Shanghai, Joey leverages China's pro-foreign direct investment (FDI) measures.
"I think the openness with the local government and the business district has been very fruitful," said Yeo, CEO of HEAL Management Group.
With streamlined approvals and regulatory guidance, Yeo's company plans to scale operations across multiple cities.
"Not just Shanghai, but we used to see other cities as well coming to us and asking us, giving us more opportunities and more understanding how we can actually set a bigger landscape," he said.
Yeo's story reflects broader trends - China's FDI policies have reduced entry barriers, while banks like Bank of East Asia (BEA) offer tailored financial solutions.
"I don't think any multinational company or foreign investors can ignore the huge market capacity, the huge potential of greater China. So we are going through the fintech transformation and by adapting AI, big data, block chains - those kind of technology, we can better help those SMEs in need," said Bi Mingqiang, CEO of BEA(China).
As China prioritizes openness, biomedical firms and financial institutions are forging a symbiotic growth model, proving resilient in a fragmented global economy.
Biomedical companies thrive under China's FDI policies
People across Iran took to the streets on Friday to mark International Quds Day, an annual event expressing support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli actions.
Several high-ranking Iranian officials also took part in the rallies in Tehran, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei as well as cabinet ministers, such as Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
The event, established by Iran in 1979, is observed on the final Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. This year, it fell on March 13 and amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.
In the capital, people marched from 10 different locations towards the iconic Enghelab Square in central Tehran, while waving Iran's flags and holding pictures of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.
The marchers condemned the "crimes" committed by the United States and Israel, voiced their support for the Iranian armed forces, and pledged allegiance to the new supreme leader.
According to the official news agency IRNA, Tehran's central areas near the rally path came under U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in the early minutes of the gathering, killing at least one person. Addressing reporters after the strikes, Larijani said the attacks are "out of fear and desperation."
Araghchi said despite the attacks today, millions of people have taken part in the rallies across Iran, which shows "the Iranians' firm determination and will in supporting" the country.
On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Iran's Assembly of Experts on Sunday announced the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader.
Iranians hold mass rallies to mark Quds Day amid U.S.-Israeli attacks
