Opening-up fuels global investor confidence
开放提振全球投资者信心
China has become more attractive as a global investment destination, especially in technology and innovation, attracting international businesses with its robust economic growth and creativity, said Rani Jarkas, chairman of the Swiss financial group Cedrus Group.
瑞士金融集团Cedrus Group董事长Rani Jarkas表示，中国作为全球投资目的地将变得更加具有吸引力，特别是在技术和创新方面，以其强劲的经济增长和创造力吸引了国际企业。
Having worked in Beijing for over 15 years and conducted business in many cities, Jarkas expressed confidence in China's global growth and innovation. "I think the Chinese economy will grow at a very consistent pace going forward, led by innovation, AI, and other technologies," he said.
Jarkas在北京工作了超过15年，并在许多城市开展过业务，他表达了对中国的全球增长和创新充满信心。他表示：“我认为，在创新、人工智能和其他技术的引领下，中国经济未来将会保持非常稳定的速度增长。”
"China is one of the most important markets for businesspeople around the world, as investors believe it will continue to open up," Jarkas said, adding that mutual understanding is improving, with investors becoming increasingly aware of the opportunities the Chinese market offers and the returns companies can achieve.
Jarkas表示：“中国是全球商界最重要的市场之一，因为投资者相信中国将会持续开放。”他补充说，相互理解正在提升，投资者越来越意识到中国市场蕴含的机遇，以及企业能够实现的回报。
According to the Ministry of Commerce, as of April 2025, a total of 18,832 new foreign-invested enterprises had been established nationwide this year, marking a year-on-year increase of 12.1 percent. The actual utilized foreign investment amounted to 320.78 billion yuan ($44.66 billion).
根据商务部的数据显示，截至2025年4月，今年全国共累计新设立外商投资企业18832家，同比增长12.1%。实际利用外资3207.8亿元人民币（446.6亿美元）。
In the first five months of this year, the number of foreign-invested enterprises with import and export performance exceeded 73,000, the highest during the same period in the past five years, with monthly import and export values maintaining growth for four consecutive months.
今年前5个月，有进出口实绩的外商投资企业数量超过7.3万家，创过去近5年同期最高，且月度进出口值连续4个月保持增长。
Jarkas hailed the Chinese government for its effective policies and incentives, especially in cities like Beijing. "There are many dimensions to these policies, such as streamlined approvals for new companies and initiatives to attract attention," he said.
贾卡斯称赞中国政府出台的有效的政策和激励措施，尤其是在像北京这样的城市。“这些政策涉及很多方面，例如简化新企业的审批流程以及吸引关注的相关的举措，”他说。
Early this year, the Chinese government introduced the "2025 Action Plan for Stabilizing Foreign Investment" and announced that it will revise the "Catalogue of Industries Encouraged for Foreign Investment", systematically expanding autonomous openings in sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare and education.
今年年初，中国政府出台《2025年稳外资行动方案》，宣布将修订《鼓励外商投资产业目录》，系统性扩大电信、医疗、教育等领域自主开放。
These measures encourage foreign capital to engage in equity investment in China and facilitate the accelerated implementation of major landmark foreign investment projects. Such policies have further optimized the business environment, bolstered the confidence of foreign enterprises and strengthened their willingness to invest.
这些措施鼓励外资在中国开展股权投资，推动重大标志性外资项目加快落地提供便利。此类政策进一步优化了营商环境，增强了外企信心，增强了投资意愿。
"We're very inspired by these policies and believe they will continue to improve over time. We strongly recommend foreign companies explore opportunities in China, invest here and trust the government's support," Jarkas added.
Jarkas补充说：“我们深受这些政策的鼓舞，相信随着时间的推移，这些政策将继续改善。我们强烈建议外国公司在中国探索机会和机遇，在这里投资，并信赖政府的支持。”
Jarkas made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Beijing CBD Forum on Wednesday. The event was attended by more than 20 representatives from Asian cities, over 30 representatives from international organizations and business associations spanning more than 10 core industries, as well as members of the Global Business Districts (GBD) Innovation Club and the China CBD Alliance.
贾卡斯周三在2025北京CBD论坛开幕式上发表了上述讲话。来自亚洲城市的20多位代表，来自10多个核心行业的30多位国际组织和商协会的代表，以及全球商务区（GBD）创新俱乐部和中国CBD联盟的成员出席了此次活动。
In addition to the improved investment environment, Jarkas highlighted better air quality and living conditions as key factors attracting more foreign businesses to China. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN resident coordinator in China, echoed this sentiment, noting that major Chinese cities are serving as models for air quality optimization.
除了投资环境不断改善，Jarkas强调了更好的空气质量和生活条件是吸引更多外国企业到中国的关键因素。联合国驻华协调员西达尔特·查特吉（Siddharth Chatterjee）也表达了同样的观点，他指出，中国的主要城市正在成为空气质量优化的典范。
Taking Beijing as an example, Chatterjee pointed out that its air quality was once a major concern. "However, today we can see that the air is remarkably clean," he said, giving a thumbs-up.
查特吉以北京为例指出，其空气质量曾是一个主要的担忧点。“然而，如今我们可以看到空气非常清新，”他竖起大拇指说。
"As someone who lives here and often goes running — I frequently run half-marathons — I personally feel that Beijing's air quality is excellent. This demonstrates three key factors: first, political will; second, sound public policies; and third, effective partnerships," he said.
“作为一个居住在此并经常去跑步的人——我经常跑半程马拉松——我个人感觉北京的空气质量非常好。这表明了三个关键因素：第一，政治决心；第二，健全的公共政策；第三，有效的合作伙伴关系，”他说。
China has taken bold steps in sustainable development. Its dual carbon goals — to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 — reflect the nation's strong commitment to green development.
中国在可持续发展方面采取了大胆举措。其双碳目标——到2030年实现碳达峰，到2060年实现碳中和——反映了国家对绿色发展的坚定承诺。
Meanwhile, China has taken a leading role globally in areas such as advancing green building standards, improving energy efficiency and integrating smart technologies into urban planning and management. These efforts are reshaping the urban experience and laying a solid foundation for long-term resilient development, Chatterjee said.
与此同时，中国在推进绿色建筑标准、提高能源效率以及将智能技术融入城市规划和管理等领域，在全球发挥着引领作用。查特吉表示，这些努力正在重塑城市体验，并为长期韧性发展奠定了坚实的基础。
While environmental improvements have played a crucial role in enhancing China's attractiveness to foreign businesses, the country's robust economic policies and investment-friendly environment continue to be key drivers of foreign interest.
虽然环境改善在提升中国对外国企业的吸引力方面发挥了至关重要的作用，但中国稳健的经济政策和友好的投资环境仍然持续成为吸引外国关注的核心驱动力。
In a sideline interview with China Daily during the forum, Jarkas encouraged more foreign companies to visit China, learn about its rules and regulations, and experience its warm hospitality and rich culture. He emphasized that such visits would help businesses discover how China can meet their needs and support their growth.
贾尔卡斯在论坛期间接受《中国日报》采访时鼓励更多外国公司访问中国，了解中国的规章制度和法律法规，体验中国的热情好客和丰富的文化。他强调，此类访问将有助于企业发现中国如何满足他们的需求并支持其发展。
Jarkas' views were echoed by John McLean OBE, chairman of the City of London branch of the Institute of Directors UK. McLean noted that the Chinese government's policy of extending the visa-free transit period to 240 hours has indirectly encouraged some foreign businesspeople to consider investing in China.
Jarkas的观点得到了英国董事协会伦敦金融城分会主席John McLean OBE的赞同。麦克莱恩指出，中国政府将过境免签期限延长至240小时的政策间接鼓励了一些外商考虑在中国投资。
"Although the policy itself may not directly attract global businesses, some of my friends in the business sector decided to open branches in China after visiting the country as tourists and experiencing its high-potential markets firsthand," said McLean, who is also chairman of the China UK Business Development Center.
“虽然政策本身可能不会直接吸引全球企业，但我在商界领域的一些朋友在以游客身份访问中国并亲身体验其高潜力市场后，决定在中国开设分支机构，”同时也是中国英国商业发展中心主席的麦克莱恩说。
Since his first visit to China in 1999, McLean has witnessed tremendous progress in the country's modernization. He observed that the world today is filled with complexity and uncertainty. While global trade conflicts persist, nations are increasingly realizing that cooperation, rather than competition, is the key to fostering prosperity.
自1999年首次访华以来，麦克莱恩见证了中国现代化建设的巨大进步。他注意到，当今世界充满了复杂性和不确定性。尽管全球贸易冲突持续存在，但各国越来越意识到，合作而非竞争，才是促进繁荣的关键。
"A single tree does not make a forest," McLean said, quoting a Chinese proverb. He emphasized that as one of the world's largest economies, China will definitely continue working with the international community to create a more business-friendly investment environment and better serve foreign companies in local markets.
“独木不成林，”麦克林引用了一句中国谚语。他强调，作为全球最大经济体之一，中国一定会继续与国际社会一道投资合作，创造更加有利于营商的投资环境，更好地为外国企业在本土市场服务。
