THOUGH facing a new round of COVID-19 flare-ups and uncertainties in the global economic recovery, foreign enterprises expressed their confidence in the Chinese market thanks to a slew of resolute, precise and comprehensive anti-epidemic measures.

In Shanghai, where over 60,000 foreign-invested enterprises contribute about one-third of the city’s tax revenue, a quarter of its GDP, and two-thirds of its foreign trade, promising investment prospects, high-level opening up and the favorable business environment have made the metropolis still an attractive destination for foreign investors.

Actual foreign investment into the city, in actual use, reached more than US$2.37 billion in January, up 26.6% year on year, and the city also witnessed the establishment of 276 wholly foreign-owned enterprises in the month, according to the Shanghai’s commission of commerce.

“Although we encountered a series of problems with inter-provincial transportation, procurement of anti-epidemic materials and staffing, production returned to normal with the help of the local authorities,” said Tao Lin, vice president of Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory.

Tesla’s Shanghai factory exported 33,315 vehicles in February this year, up 339% year on year, maintaining its status as one of the U.S. electric carmaker’s main export hubs.

“We are fully confident in the future development of the Chinese market,” Tao said. “China has always been able to respond to the epidemic effectively while opening its doors firmly. It has become an important engine of global economic growth.”

“We believe the difficulties are temporary, and we have great confidence in Shanghai,” said Cao Chilun, president and country manager of Amkor Assembly & Test (Shanghai) Co., a semiconductor company.

According to Cao, their production plans have not been affected by the COVID-19 resurgence to date. “Shanghai’s targeted containment measures have minimized the impact on companies.”(Xinhua)