DAILY OF THE PEOPLE digital 2022:11:07.11:14
Entrepreneurs attending the 5th China International Import Expo display a handmade carpet on Sunday. [ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY]
By CHENG YU and ZHONG NAN
Global multinationals encouraged by comments on wider access and new opportunities
President Xi Jinping’s speech at the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) embodies China’s steadfast pursuit of high-level opening-up and efforts to facilitate world trade and promote global innovation, according to multinational company executives.
This has deepened investment confidence and pointed to successful business opportunities, they said.
Xi stressed that the purpose of the CIIE is to expand China’s opening-up and transform the country’s vast market into vast opportunities for the world.
Bruno Chevot, president of French food and beverage company Danone for China, North Asia and Oceania, said Xi’s remarks are a clear signal that China will continue to open its doors more to foreign companies and that the country is taking concrete steps to gain market access extend .
“It’s very important because it really helps us build our strategic plan for the future and ensure we create the conditions to contribute to the Chinese market and further strengthen our commitment to the long-term development of the country,” Chevot said .
Speaking via video link at the expo opening ceremony on Friday, Xi reiterated China’s commitment to allowing different nations to share opportunities in its vast market. He also stressed the need to maintain a commitment to openness to meet the challenges of development, encourage synergy for collaboration, encourage innovation and create benefits for all.
“We should constantly advance economic globalization, enhance each country’s growth momentum, and provide all nations better and more equitable access to the fruits of development,” Xi stressed.
Zheng Dazhi, president of Bosch Thermotechnology Asia-Pacific, a German industrial conglomerate, said the company is inspired by comments about creating new opportunities for the world through China’s own development.
“It’s encouraging because we also believe that an open and market-oriented business environment is good for all parties. With such a vision, we are firmly committed to China and will continue to increase local investment to enhance local manufacturing and R&D capabilities here,” Zheng said.
The commitment to fostering collaboration on innovation gave US luxury company Tapestry additional confidence.
“The country is not only one of our most important markets worldwide, but also a source of inspiration for breakthroughs and innovations,” said Yann Bozec, President of Tapestry Asia-Pacific. “The feedback gives us added confidence and reinforces Tapestry’s determination to increase investment in the Chinese market.”
In the speech, Xi also announced plans to set up pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and establish national demonstration zones for the innovative development of trade in services.
Eddy Chan, senior vice president of logistics company FedEx Express and president of FedEx China, said the company was “particularly excited” by the mention of developing a new mechanism for trading services.
“It will boost trade innovation, foster high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and provide more opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in China and other parts of the world,” he said.
Zhou Zhicheng, a researcher with the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing in Beijing, pointed out that as cross-border e-commerce plays a key role in China’s economic revitalization, the country has introduced a series of favorable measures to revive exports and domestic consumption .
“Domestic and global companies in the transportation sector have used their global logistics network to promote e-commerce flow between China and the world,” he said.
(Web Editor: Rosa Liu, Zhao Jian)