China welcomes foreign firms to invest in the country and protects their legal rights and interests in accordance with the law, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday.
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Hong made the remarks in response to an annual report which was quoted by a German news agency that the European Union Chamber said Chinese firms in most industries continued to receive more favorable treatment than foreign ones.
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"Despite the slow economic recovery worldwide, China has maintained a good momentum for attracting foreign investment, which shows the country's attractiveness in terms of the investment climate," Hong said at a daily news briefing.
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He said China will adhere to reform and opening up, and mutually beneficial principles while welcoming foreign investors to invest in the country.
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China will continue to improve the investment climate, and effectively use public services and management to offer a fair, stable and transparent environment, the spokesman said.
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"We believe foreign businesses will make greater progress from China's economic development under joint efforts of the two sides," Hong said.
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He also called on foreign firms investing in China to abide by the Chinese laws and regulations.Â