China News Service:

We have noticed that the action plan calls for continued efforts to build the "Invest in China" brand. What steps will the MOC take to further develop this initiative? Thanks.

Zhu Bing:

Thank you for your question. Last year, in accordance with the State Council's directives, the MOC conducted a series of activities for the "Invest in China Year" campaign. We organized 20 key activities, including launch ceremonies, keynote forums, summit meetings, and special promotional events, to build communication platforms and facilitate the signing of numerous foreign investment projects.

The Central Economic Work Conference and the government work report both called for the building of the "Invest in China" brand. Moving forward, we will earnestly implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and develop the "Invest in China" brand across three areas in accordance with the requirements of the action plan.

First, we will create high-quality activities. In 2024, we will combine "go-global" and "bring-in" investment promotion strategies and host over 20 high-quality events both domestically and internationally. On the morning of March 26, we will co-organize the first landmark event with the People's Government of Beijing Municipality at China National Convention Center. Many multinational companies have signed up for the event. According to statistics, over 60 general managers for the China region and higher-level executives have confirmed their participation. Additionally, we will host a series of activities such as "CIIE goes local" and local-themed promotions in various locations, as well as conduct promotions in Europe, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East. We welcome friends from the media to continue paying attention to "Invest in China" activities and help us promote it.

Second, we have provided high-quality services. Last year, we upgraded and established a roundtable conference system for foreign-funded enterprises and actively listened to the opinions, suggestions, and issues raised by these enterprises. So far, we have organized 17 roundtable conferences of various types, coordinated and resolved over 600 difficulties and problems raised by foreign enterprises, and identified a new batch of key foreign investment projects. We will continue to leverage the role of specialized groups for key foreign investment projects and hold monthly roundtable meetings with foreign-funded enterprises. We will make good use of channels such as the system for "collecting and handling problems and issues of foreign-funded enterprises" to address their concerns in a timely manner. In addition, we will further strengthen the "full life cycle" service guarantee for key foreign investment projects. This includes expediting project implementation, accelerating production, and achieving production targets ahead of schedule.

Third is to create a favorable environment. Since the introduction of the 24 pro-foreign investment measures , we have prompted relevant departments to implement support policies in a timely manner, continuously magnifying the benefits brought by our polices. At the same time, we will actively implement the MOC's functions described in the action plan, make continuous efforts in expanding access, promoting investment, improving services, optimizing the business environment and aligning with international high standards. All the efforts will accumulate positive effects in line with the 24 measures, strengthening the sense of fulfillment for enterprises. We will also work with all parties to implement the Foreign Investment Law and its implementation guidelines, comprehensively ensure that foreign enterprises can enjoy the same benefits as local ones, and create a world-class business environment.