Miao Wei, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, answers questions at a press conference on "Made in China 2025" plan for the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
Chinese regulator on Saturday offered detailed clarifications on the "Made in China 2025" plan, stressing equal treatment for domestic and foreign companies after a European business group criticized the strategy for discrimination against foreign firms.
"The strategy and its related policies are applicable to all businesses in China, be them domestic or foreign," Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology, said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session.[Special Coverage]
The remarks came after a lengthy report from the European Union Chamber of Commerce claimed that China's support for high-tech manufacturing would lead to worsening treatment of foreign companies, while allowing government-subsidized homegrown players to compete unfairly.
The report said foreign suppliers of electric cars and other goods are under pressure to turn over technology to China.
Miao refuted the accusation, saying entry policies in sectors such as new energy vehicles are not only targeting foreign firms, but domestic businesses alike.
The intention of such policies is to prevent some businesses to cheat on government subsidies, instead of forcing foreign firms to transfer technology to China, Miao explained.
As for the target set for the market share of domestic brands in some sectors, Miao said the government is not "deliberately seeking" such goals when drafting the plan.
The targets are of predictive nature, not mandatory, Miao added, reiterating the decisive role of market and the guiding role of government during the plan's implementation.
The ultimate aim of the "Made in China 2025" plan is to satisfy domestic demand for high-end equipment and industrial goods as Western countries still impose export bans on some of the products to China, he said.
"While allowing the market to play its decisive role in developing economy, the government is also playing a role of guidance, which is an international practice," the minister said.
To boost domestic manufacturing, the EU, the United States and Germany have all come up with similar plans in recent years, Miao said, hoping for more bilateral and multilateral exchanges and cooperation in the area.
China introduced the "Made in China 2025" blueprint in May 2015, listing several tasks for the high-tech manufacturing industry, including boosting innovation, fostering Chinese brands and service-oriented manufacturing.
