Vice Premier Wang Qishan: Strengthen IPR protection and create a more fair and transparent investment environment for foreign-invested enterprises

The 5th general meeting of China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment was held in Beijing on November 28. Wang Qishan, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, met with representatives of the General Assembly and stressed that "We will unswervingly deepen reform, expand opening up, constantly improve relevant laws and regulations, strengthen organization and system innovation, increase IPR protection, earnestly safeguard the legal rights and interests of foreign-invested enterprises, and create a more fair, just and transparent investment environment."

Wang first affirmed the brilliant achievements made by foreign-invested enterprises during the 30 years of reform and opening up. He said this year is the 10th anniversary of China's accession to the WTO. The Chinese government has honored its commitments made when joining the WTO, particularly including tariffs reduction, market access, equal treatment of foreign and domestic enterprises. As of now, China has approved the establishment of 730,000 foreign-funded enterprises, actually utilized USD 1.2 trillion foreign capital. Foreign-funded enterprises create more than half of Chinese imports and exports, one-seventh of direct employment, one-fifth of tax revenue and one-fourth of industrial output. It proved that foreign-funded enterprises have made great contribution in China's reform and opening up and modernization, but also gained a lot of interest.

Wang pointed out that China is in the accelerated phase of industrialization and urbanization. The market demand is gradually emerging explosive, which brings new development opportunities for foreign-funded enterprises. During the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" period, the utilization of foreign investment will mainly turn from introduction of capital to introduction of advanced technology, management experience, talent and international brands so as to promote the transformation of economic development and economic restructuring.

Wang stressed that to create a soft environment conducive to innovation is the common requirements of domestic and foreign enterprises. All localities and departments should change their investment solicitation measures, optimize the utilization of foreign investment and pay more emphasis on the construction of soft investment environment. In accordance with WTO rules, all localities and departments should strengthen enforcement of IPR protection, continue to effectively combat IPR infringement and manufacturing and selling counterfeit and shoddy goods and provide a good legal environment and system security for all types of market players to conduct fair competition and innovation.

China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment was established in 1987. Currently, there are more than 1,600 member companies, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. [Chinese version is available on gov.cn]