[Explanation] On March 18, the Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference.

Gao Feng, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, said that the Ministry of Commerce will continue to promote the revision of the negative list for foreign investment access and reduce access restrictions.

  [Concurrent] Gao Feng, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce

  In recent years, my country has continued to promote the reform of decentralization, regulation and service, and the business environment has greatly improved.

The World Bank's global ranking of business environment has jumped from 84th in 2015 to 31st in 2019.

We will continue to promote the revision of the negative list of foreign investment access, reduce the access restrictions for foreign investment, implement the Foreign Investment Law and its implementation regulations, and carry out the "reform, reform and abolishment" of supporting regulations.

Continue to create a market-oriented, legalized, and international business environment.

  [Explanation] From January to February 2021, the country absorbed 176.76 billion yuan of foreign capital, a year-on-year increase of 31.5%, achieving a "good start."

According to a report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China a few days ago, 61% of surveyed companies still regard China as their preferred investment destination.

The main reason for the Ministry of Commerce's response to this is that foreign investors continue to increase their confidence in China's economic development prospects.

  [Concurrent] Gao Feng, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce

  In the first two months of this year, my country’s utilization of foreign capital has achieved rapid growth. The main reason is that the national economy has maintained a recovery growth trend. Foreign investors have continued to increase their confidence in China’s economic development prospects. In particular, it has accelerated the construction of a new development pattern and promoted some high technology The industry's absorption of foreign investment has grown rapidly. At the same time, some industries that were heavily affected by the epidemic last year, such as accommodation and catering, wholesale and retail, have also rebounded.

Of course, the low base in the same period last year is also an important reason.

  [Explanation] At the press conference, Gao Feng also introduced the "Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment" that China has just implemented. He said that the new "Measures" are based on the requirements of the "Foreign Investment Law" and its implementation regulations to provide for China's foreign investment security review system. The refinement and perfection will not add unnecessary burdens to normal foreign investors and enterprises.

  [Concurrent] Gao Feng, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce

  The "Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment" clearly stipulates the scope of foreign investment that should be subject to security review.

It mainly includes two aspects: one is investment in military industry, military industry supporting areas and other fields related to national defense security, and investment in military facilities and the surrounding areas of military industry facilities.

The second is to invest in 9 areas such as important agricultural products, important energy and resources that are related to national security, and obtain actual control of the invested enterprises.

In the long run, it is conducive to the better development of foreign-funded enterprises in China, and will not add unnecessary burdens to normal foreign investors and enterprises.

  Reporter Liu Xuanting reports from Beijing

Editor in charge: [Liu Xian]