China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

In responding to claims made by a Japanese media outlet that Japanese companies were not invited to the China Development Forum this year, and it is said that they are facing more difficulties in doing business in China recently, and to a question about whether China still intends to promote economic ties with Japanese companies, He Yongqian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), said on Thursday that China is committed to high‑level opening-up and to building a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized.

He Yongqian pointed to a recent survey released by the Japanese Chamber Commerce and Industry in China showing that Japanese companies operating in China reported an overall positive trend, maintained a high level of satisfaction with the Chinese business environment, and planned to deepen their presence in the Chinese market.

"A stable and healthy China-Japan economic and trade relationship is in the common interest of the people of both countries. We once again urge the Japanese government to earnestly reflect on and correct its mistakes, and create conditions for normal economic and trade cooperation between the two countries," the MOFCOM spokesperson said.

Global Times