Together with local lawmakers, 10 business heads of overseas-funded
companies listened to the government report delivered by the
governor of Jiangsu Province to the first session of its tenth
people's congress, which convened in the provincial capital Nanjing
on Monday.
"I
have been deeply aware of the democratic and opening-up drives of
Chinese society since I began working in China two years ago," said
Herbert Awlig, general manager of BSW Household Appliance Co. Ltd.,
a joint venture between German electronics giant Siemens and
Jiangsu's Little Swan Company to produce washing machines.
"It is surprising that we Germans were invited," Awlig said. "It is
still unimaginable for Germans that China could allow foreigners to
attend its parliamentary meeting -- an people's congress session,"
he added.
Founded in 1994 in Wuxi, a major industrial city in the province,
Awlig's company now has an annual capacity to make 500,000 tumble
washers and a staff of 430 people, and its sales in 2002 generated
500 million yuan (US$60 million).
"I
feel honored to be here. I thought it was a joke when my secretary
told me that I had been invited," said Michael Barbalas, general
manager of Andrew Telecommunications (China) Co. Ltd.
Speaking in fluent Chinese, Barbalas praised the greater
transparency in Chinese administrations and progress in laws and
regulations under World Trade Organization rules since China joined
the WTO, the world's largest trade negotiation body. "Now we have
more access to learn about Chinese policies concerning all
aspects," Barbalas said.
Colin Nicol, general manager of Roche Zhongya (Wuxi) Citric Acid
Ltd, said he was impressed by Jiangsu's progress recorded in the
report. Nicol's company has invested 100 million euros in Wuxi.
He
especially noted that the operational problems his company had
encountered were mentioned in the report by Acting Governor Liang
Baohua and "every effort will be made to resolve them" as Nicol put
it.
"I
am glad to see that the Jiangsu provincial government seeks closer
ties with its people and manages to meet people's needs," Awlig
said.
As
a foreign investor, Awlig was happy to know from the governor's
report that the province would try to attract more overseas
investment, and meanwhile would encourage Chinese businesses to
invest in overseas countries and regions.
It
was also very good that the report emphasized the importance of
environmental protection, Awlig said, voicing his personal
concern.
(People's Daily February 18, 2003)