Responding to a controversy involving Hong Kong business tycoon Li Ka-shing, a Chinese official said Wednesday that the country is boosting reforms to build an open economic system to ensure a better business environment for investors.
Lian Weiliang, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planner, said at a press conference Wednesday in Beijing that the country is pushing forward robust reforms to build a new open economic system that is better governed by the law and with a better environment for international investments.
"During this process, a very important starting point for every reform is to benefit more foreign investors," said Lian, responding to questions about recent reports suggesting Hong Kong billionaire Li is withdrawing his investments from China.
Media recently reported that Li's CK Hutchison Holdings has been selling off its assets in the Chinese mainland to exit the Chinese market as the economy turns sluggish. And those moves show Li, the company's chairman, has lost confidence in the Chinese market, it said.
However, the company has repeatedly denied such claims.
Lian noted that with new reforms and more sectors open to foreign investment, the level of investor confidence in the Chinese economy has been increasing.
