Investing in China becomes "must-have" for global firms: MOC spokeswoman

Investing in China has become a "must-have" for strategic development for many foreign companies, a Commerce Ministry spokeswoman said Thursday.

He Yongqian, the spokeswoman, made the remarks in response to a media query at a regular press conference in Beijing.

"Recently, global executives from multinational companies including Apple, Eli Lilly, BASF, Volkswagen, Bosch and the Al-Futtaim Group along with representatives of business associations such as the U.S.-China Business Council, have made visits to China. Many of them came to the Ministry of Commerce and had candid and pragmatic discussions with us. They spoke highly of China's economy's resilience, innovative dynamism, vast market advantages, and the steadily improved business environment. They see China as an innovation hub for transnational development. For many global companies, investing in China has shifted from viewing it as an 'optional extra' for resource allocation to a 'must-have' for strategic development," said He.

China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday vowed stronger capabilities and more diverse means to strike secessionist forces in Taiwan and oppose external interference.

The remarks were made by Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the ministry, at a regular press briefing when responding to a question about two new guided-missile destroyers, Dongguan and Anqing, which recently completed their first formation training and live-fire exercises after being commissioned.

Jiang said achieving China's complete reunification is a prevailing trend, a just cause and the will of the people, pledging that the military will continue to strengthen combat readiness.

"Secessionists advocating 'Taiwan independence' would only face a dead end if they resist reunification by force," he said.