China's New Pledge to Foreign Firms Met With Skepticism

Despite promises of equal treatment, Germany and other international companies await concrete actions from Beijing.

Germany and other foreign firms remain skeptical of China's latest pledge to treat foreign companies equally, citing a history of unfulfilled promises.
China's efforts to attract foreign investment include promising national treatment for foreign companies and hosting events like the China Development Forum and Invest in China Summit 2024.
Inbound foreign direct investment in China shrank by 8% in 2023, despite China being a major global market and manufacturing hub.
High-profile executives from companies like Pfizer and AstraZeneca are participating in China's outreach efforts, signaling potential interest despite skepticism.
Experts suggest China should join international agreements like the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement to truly level the playing field for foreign firms.