Foreign execs bullish on 2023 business climate

Q3 China's top policymakers have pledged greater efforts to attract foreign capital, widen market access, promote further opening-up of modern service industries and ensure a level playing field for both domestic and foreign companies. In this context, what measures do you expect this year? Will you draw up new plans for investment, hiring and business expansion in China?

CHAN: The Chinese government has leveled the playing field between foreign and domestic companies, which is important for foreign companies to grow in the country. FedEx will strengthen its networks in China to connect this market more closely with the world through efficient and reliable transportation services and solutions and continue to invest in infrastructure to expand our service efficiency and quality. We will also empower small and medium-sized enterprises to expand their international business by providing extensive market insights and "one-stop" Customs clearance solutions, as well as customized and end-to-end logistics solutions, which help enhance global vitality.

LIU: China's unwavering determination to expand high-level opening-up has been declared many times, which deeply encourages and motivates us. We are more confident in being rooted in and deepening development in China. We will continue to expand our business in the Chinese market. We will continue to pay close attention to the policies of the Chinese government to support the development of foreign companies in the country and attracting more global capital. Continuous optimization of the investment and business environment and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law will help create a better development environment for multinational corporations.

YE: Michelin has witnessed the continuous optimization of the business environment in China for more than 30 years. The policies for foreign enterprises continue to improve, including the implementation of national treatment for foreign investment, investment facilitation measures and R&D incentives. China is now entering a new stage of high-quality development, which is inseparable from the support of a high-quality business environment. In 2023, we expect governments at all levels to continue to optimize the business environment through policy support, talent training and platform construction.

TAN: We look forward to the continuation of preferential policies in areas such as tariff exemptions and priority on land supply, as well as the opening of more preferential policy support based on the expansion of foreign investors to lower-tier cities to help foreign investors coordinate and mobilize resources for investment promotion.

Talent is the inexhaustible driving force for the company to move forward. We will continue to stockpile talent to build a team that is at the forefront of the market and consumer-centric. As our channels continue to be updated and expanded, Skechers will create more jobs and take on greater social responsibility in China.

XU: The opening-up measures by China's top policymakers, especially in the green sector, and the highlighted focus on the protection of intellectual property and innovation, have strengthened our long-term confidence in the Chinese market, which is driving our continued investment in China. We would like to see more such innovative cooperations between government and businesses in 2023 and beyond.

Danfoss is committed to long-term investment in China. Our recent announcement of 100 million euros ($106.4 million) to build a model plant in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, is a clear sign of our continued positive outlook for the Chinese market.