US firms upbeat on business outlook in China
Updated: 2013-03-29 21:17
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
BEIJING - Despite moderation in the Chinese economy, United States-based companies remain upbeat on the near-term outlook of their businesses here, according to the results of a recent survey.
Over three-quarters of respondents indicated that they are optimistic about how their companies will perform over the next two years in China, the latest Business Climate Survey from the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham-China) showed Friday.
US companies turned out strong performances in China last year, as 71 percent of respondents said they posted sales growths in 2012 and 44 percent reported better operating margins in China than the global average, according to the annual survey conducted among 325 member companies of the chamber.
More US businesses are oriented toward selling in the Chinese market, rather than seeing China only as a processing and export hub. The percentage of respondents who said their goal this year is to sell directly into China reached a record high of 71 percent.
However, US companies seem to have downsized their expansion plans. The percentage of respondents with plans to increase investment by 21 percent to 50 percent dropped from about 30 percent to 18 percent over the past four years.
The results reflect a slightly more conservative business outlook amid China's focus on promoting higher-quality economic expansion in an era of rebalancing, the chamber said.
Flagging exports and domestic tightening to tame property prices drove China's growth below 8 percent last year. It had stayed above 8 percent since 1999.
The survey also revealed that rising labor costs and a lack of qualified employees are top concerns among respondents.
AmCham-China is a non-profit organization representing the interests of over 1,000 U.S. companies and 3,500 individuals doing business in China.
Related:
Vice-premier pledges fairness for foreign enterprisesCPC official meets Kissinger, calls for China-US co-op
Keys to avoiding a China-US trade war
Core interests at heart of new US ties
US ruling in vitamin C case 'unfair and improper'
China-US Major events
US launches patent probe into ZTE and Huawei
Related Stories
Kerry positive for China-US relations 2012-12-24 07:57
Leaders 'value US relations' 2012-12-22 01:00
Chinese vice premier wraps up visit to US 2012-12-21 04:42
China and US agree on major trade measures 2012-12-21 01:16
China, US move beyond distractions to new relations 2012-12-16 18:46
China, US kick off annual trade talks 2012-12-20 07:43
Today's Top News
Police continue manhunt for 2nd bombing suspect
H7N9 flu transmission studied
8% growth predicted for Q2
Nuke reactor gets foreign contract
First couple on Time's list of most influential
'Green' awareness levels drop in Beijing
Palace Museum spruces up
Trading channels 'need to broaden'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |
Firms crave cyber connection |