Chinese vice premier reaffirms favorable conditions for foreign firms

China will continue to create fair, justified and open conditions for foreign businesses, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said in Chengdu on Thursday.

Zhang made the remarks while meeting with attendees of the 2013 Fortune Global Forum, which opened on Thursday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province.

In a meeting with Time Warner chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes, Zhang said Time Warner's Fortune Global Forum offers a good opportunity to improve understanding between the world and China, as well as provides an important platform for Chinese and foreign businesses to step up cooperation.

Zhang cited remarkable achievements that have been made since the implementation of the government's strategy to develop west China, which boasts huge potential and vitality.

The choice of Chengdu as the host of Fortune Global Forum this year will help attendees to better understand of the potential of west China, he said.

Stressing the government's support for media cooperation, Zhang called on foreign media to report on China in an accurate and objective manner.

While meeting with a group of former foreign leaders and scholars including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Zhang said China will adhere to a path of peaceful development, unswervingly pursue a mutually beneficial strategy and seek benefits for people in China and other parts of the world.

Zhang said Blair and other statesmen have played an important role in promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries, calling on them to continue to exert their influence and make new efforts to boost country-to-country trade and economic cooperation.

In a meeting with senior executives of leading global companies, Zhang said China will make efforts to create fair, justified and open market regulations and environments.

Zhang said China will implement an innovation-driven development strategy and support scientific innovation.

Zhang said China encourages multinational companies to set up regional headquarters and R&D centers in China, as well as carry out research and development with Chinese institutions and businesses.

China also encourages foreign investors to invest more in its industrial upgrading and in its central and western regions, Zhang said.

Zhang also called on business executives to expand investment and trade cooperation in China, as well as make more efforts to boost economic development and promote international economic and technological cooperation.