Multinationals upbeat on economic prospects

Multinational corporations have voiced optimism about China's economic prospects and pledged efforts to step up investment in the world's second-largest economy, reaffirming that their long-term confidence in the Chinese market remains intact, despite the lackluster global economic recovery.

They also highlighted China's economic resilience and pivotal position in global industrial and supply chains. Experts said as China continues to advance high-standard opening-up, there are more business opportunities for foreign companies, especially in high-end manufacturing, digital transformation and decarbonization.

Their comments came as the National Bureau of Statistics said that China's GDP grew 5.2 percent year-on-year to a new high of 126.06 trillion yuan ($17.52 trillion) last year. China's growth not only outpaces the estimated global growth of 3 percent, but also ranks top among major economies, said the NBS.