China EU. Photo: VCG

China appreciates the remarks by Jörg Wuttke, president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China on bilateral cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry (FM) spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday, adding the recent positions expressed by many US and EU business people show international community's positive outlook in China's economic development and their willingness to strengthen cooperation with China.

In a recent interview with news website chinanews.com, Wuttke said Europe needs to shake off complacency and tries to learn from China, adding if China wins, the Europe will win too.

Wuttke said that China contributes about 30 percent to the global economic growth each year, so involving in Chinese market is very important for global companies. 

On Monday, Zhao said cooperation has been the key tone for China-US relations in the past, and should continue playing such role based on broad common interest and huge potential for the two sides to team up, following remarks by Gregory Gilligan, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, who said in a recent interview with China Central Television that "we should look at the long-term benefits of cooperation between both sides."

Citing latest survey by the EU Chamber which shows 62 percent of EU companies in China willing to increase investments in the market and China's becoming the largest recipient of FDI last year, Zhao said the data reflects recognition by the international community on investing in China and confidence in the country's business climate. 

As a major developing country which has 1.4 billion population, 900 million laborers and 120 million market entities, China has become an important engine for the world's economic recovery and a favored place for foreign investments, he added. 

Entering new phase of development, the spokesperson pointed out closer connections between China and the world. "The agreement on China-EU investment treaty also provides more opportunities and creates bigger space for Europe and the world."

Highlighting that China will continue to open wider to the world, Zhao said such development will bring more benefits and cooperative opportunities to foreign companies in China. 

Global Times