China Says It’s Open for Business. Foreign Firms Find It’s Not That Simple.
“When you go into a country and participate in the market, you are subject to the laws and regulation of
that country,” Mr. Cook said, underscoring the notion that some American business leaders are willing to play by China’s rules.
One of the many statistics that officials here cited to support China’s growing strength on the global stage was this
one: The Fortune 500 list now includes 115 Chinese companies, nearly equal to the number of American companies.
GUANGZHOU, China — The southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Wednesday welcomed dozens of corporate leaders
and foreign dignitaries with one overriding message: China is open for business.
Wang Yang, China’s vice premier, spoke of the country’s commitment to a “nondiscriminatory environment for
foreign companies.” Another senior Chinese official promised a level playing field for foreign businesses.
“Chinese government statements reaffirming China’s commitment to providing a nondiscriminatory environment for foreign companies are always welcome,
but need to be accompanied by real progress,” said Kenneth Jarrett, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.
