Omanghana
Li Qiang, the Premier of China, has pledged to further open the country’s economy to foreign companies and promote more balanced global trade, as Beijing seeks to rebuild investor confidence and ease tensions with major trading partners.
Speaking at the China Development Forum in Beijing on March 22, 2026, Li emphasized that China remains committed to creating a more welcoming business environment for international firms. His remarks came amid heightened global scrutiny following China’s record trade surplus and growing trade friction with the United States and the European Union.
Li assured investors that foreign companies operating in China would receive “national treatment,” meaning they would be treated on equal terms with domestic enterprises. The policy is intended to strengthen confidence among global businesses considering investments in the Chinese market.
As part of this effort, the Chinese government plans to expand access to several key sectors. These include the broader services industry, increased imports of healthcare and medical products, and new opportunities in digital technology and low-carbon industries. Officials believe these sectors will drive innovation and support China’s transition toward a more technology-driven and environmentally sustainable economy.
China has also expanded its list of sectors eligible for foreign investment incentives. Nearly 200 industries have been added, with incentives such as tax breaks and preferential land use arrangements. The targeted sectors focus heavily on advanced manufacturing and high-technology industries, areas Beijing views as critical for long-term economic growth.
Intellectual property protection was another key topic discussed during the forum. China’s Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao, held meetings with global pharmaceutical executives and pledged stronger intellectual property safeguards along with improved policy transparency to encourage greater foreign participation in the market.
The new commitments come after China reported a record trade surplus of about $1.2 trillion in 2025, a figure that has intensified trade tensions with several of its international partners. At the same time, the country is trying to reverse a decline in foreign direct investment. Official data shows FDI fell by 5.7 percent year-on-year in January 2026, following an overall 9.5 percent decline during 2025.
The forum took place during a period of continued geopolitical uncertainty, including ongoing trade tensions and diplomatic developments involving the United States. A planned visit by Donald Trump, the President of the United States, was recently postponed amid the broader regional crisis linked to conflict in the Middle East.
Despite these challenges, the forum drew strong participation from major global corporations. Senior executives from leading multinational companies, including Apple, Samsung, Volkswagen, Siemens, and Novartis, attended the event to engage directly with Chinese policymakers and explore future investment opportunities.
Source: Omanghana
