Chinese vice premier stresses deepened cooperation with multinationals

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the opening ceremony of the first Qingdao Multinationals Summit in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 19, 2019. Before delivering his speech, Han read Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter to the summit. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

QINGDAO, Oct. 19 -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng Saturday underscored efforts to improve the business environment to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with multinationals.

Han made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of the first Qingdao Multinationals Summit that opened in Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province.

Han said multinationals have played positive roles in China's sustained economic growth as they have brought advanced technical equipment, rich management experiences, high-quality products and services and leading innovation resources over the 40-plus years.

He stressed that China is ready to join hands with governments of other countries, international organizations and various market players to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, develop an open economy and share a bright future.

China will foster a better business environment for multinational companies by further lowering tariffs and scrapping all kinds of non-tariff barriers, Han said, adding that China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in innovative and intelligent manufacturing, green development, global governance and other areas.

China welcomes multinationals to work together to safeguard the multilateral trading system and promote economic globalization, Han said.