CHINA IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS'

飞雪寒冰

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met global business leaders and economists yesterday in a public display intended to send the message that China remains open for international business and investment.

His soothing words came on the day four Rio Tinto executives went on trial for alleged theft of commercial secrets and bribery and as Google prepared to make an announcement about its future in China.

飞雪寒冰

These examples and several policy initiatives have led some businesses to complain that China is becoming less welcoming to international investors.

“China welcomes multinational companies from around the world,” the Premier told assembled executives in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. “We will create opportunities for you and I hope you will not miss out on those opportunities.”

飞雪寒冰

During a near two-hour session with the likes of HSBC chairman Stephen Green, Ford Motor chief executive Alan Mulally, Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese and Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, Mr Wen talked about the need for ongoing reforms to China's economic model and repeatedly stressed Beijing's openness to foreign investment. He was accompanied by top cabinet ministers.

The Beijing-based American Chamber of Commerce in China (Amcham-China) published a survey yesterday showing government decisions to exclude foreign businesses from parts of China's booming market have increased dissatisfaction among multinational companies and complaints of Chinese protectionism.

The proportion of US businesses that feels foreign companies are increasingly unwelcome to participate and compete in China's market rose to 38 per cent in February, up from 26 per cent only two months before, the survey found, the most intense concern since Amcham began polling its members four years ago.