China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) hosts the Roundtable Session on Policy Interpretation for Foreign-Invested Enterprises in Beijing on October 20, 2025. Photo: MOFCOM

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) hosted the Roundtable Session on Policy Interpretation for Foreign-Invested Enterprises in Beijing on Monday, with representatives from more than 170 foreign-invested companies and foreign business associations in China attending the meeting, according to MOFCOM's website on Tuesday.

During the session, Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce, noted that "today marks the grand opening of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which will outline the blueprint for China's development over the next five years."

During the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), China's GDP grew at an average yearly rate of 5.5 percent. Despite a complex and challenging external environment, the Chinese economy has demonstrated strong resilience, great potential, and vitality, offering broad opportunities and positive prospects for foreign-invested enterprises, Ling said.

In September, relevant Chinese authorities extensively sought opinions from enterprises and the public, and drew on international experiences. After careful study, they issued the notice on implementing domestic product standards in government procurement and relevant policies, which stipulates that all types of business entities are entitled to equal access to related support policies. 

The measure effectively safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-invested enterprises in participating in government procurement, the MOFCOM official said.

When formulating specific product standards in the future, the MOFCOM will ensure that the process is conducted in accordance with laws and regulations, and in a transparent and fair manner, Ling said, while extending welcome gestures for comments and suggestions from all parties, including foreign-invested enterprises.

Regarding export controls, Ling noted that China's implementation of export controls on certain items is "a responsible move aimed at firmly safeguarding world peace and regional security and fulfilling its international non-proliferation obligations." At the same time, China conducts approvals for legitimate trade in accordance with Chinese law to help maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, Ling said.

As global trade and investment face growing challenges, the Chinese government has continued to expand its opening up and demonstrated firm determination and pragmatic actions in stabilizing foreign investment and promoting development, said the foreign enterprises attending the session, according to the MOFCOM.

The foreign business representatives expressed their expectations that the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) will provide greater room for growth for foreign enterprises and expressed their willingness to further increase investment in China, deepen cooperation, and contribute to China's high-quality development.

Global Times