Executives share expectations for 2023 market

Q3 China's top policymakers have pledged greater efforts to attract foreign capital, widen market access, promote further opening-up of modern service industries and ensure a level playing field for both domestic and foreign companies. In this context, what measures do you expect this year? Will you draw up new plans for investment, hiring and business expansion in China?

CRAPS: After the 20th CPC National Congress, a series of signals were given for developing the real economy and stabilizing foreign investment, in particular, the 2022 edition of the Catalogue of Industries to Encourage Foreign Investment, which took effect on Jan 1. It includes foreign investment in beer manufacturing for the first time in six provinces, marking a fast track for industrial investment in those areas. Budweiser APAC quickly responded to the national policy call and concluded a cooperation agreement with local governments. China is a strategic market for Budweiser APAC and we'll continue to invest in this market.

WU: We have benefited greatly from the continuously improving business environment in China. This has further strengthened our confidence and determination for long-term development in China. We have been increasing our investment in China in recent years, especially last year, having not only put into operation new gateways in hub cities, but also opened new service centers in lower-tier cities, as well as launching direct cargo routes between China and cities worldwide. We will continue to do so this year.

MOHAN: Multinationals undoubtedly benefit from China's expanding reform and opening-up policy. With years of dedication in China, LIXIL has witnessed China's increasingly prosperous development, as well as China's practical achievements in creating a fair, transparent, predictable market-oriented and world-class business environment. At present, China has a huge consumer market, and the consumption pattern is shifting from physical to service-centered. Therefore, while continuing to open up, in-depth institutional and policy innovations, such as the improvement of legal systems including intellectual property rights, will further attract more high-quality services into the Chinese market and expand the effective supply of the entire service industry.

HAMAGUCHI: We appreciate China's high-level opening-up policy as well as great efforts in improving the business environment for multinational companies, which further boosts our confidence. We have completed our strategic layout upgrade in China to operate with high efficiency and agility with a patient-centric mindset in this dynamic market. This year marks the mid-year of Astellas' Corporate Strategic Plan 2021, and we are on the right track. We will continue to accelerate our innovative drug introduction to China and make contributions to realizing the Healthy China 2030 initiative.

WAN: China is always a key market for Aveva, as the Chinese economy has shown strong resilience and vitality. We will further expand and deepen our business in China and embrace new opportunities in the digital economic era. We will continue to enhance the ecosystem, invest in local solutions, and expand into new applications and markets.

Additionally, Aveva will further join forces with universities and institutions in China to help bridge the gap between theory and practice, enable students to master the tools they will use in the future in advance, gain differentiated skill advantages, and drive the improvement of industrial efficiency and performance, energy saving and emission reductions faster.