A record number of more than 3,100...

A record number of more than 3,100 foreign industrial collaborations were approved in the first nine months of this year by the Chinese government. More than half involved joint ventures with foreign equity stakes, usually of 50% of more.

This demonstration of interest by foreign companies is reassuring to China, which has introduced measures during the past two years to try to overcome widespread international disillusionment about the country’s investment potential.

Foreign companies operating joint ventures are still experiencing hold-ups in the supply of raw materials and frustration with the country’s bureaucracy. But there is general agreement that conditions have improved significantly.