2月21日，《中国日报》刊发《US companies still keen to manufacture in China》（《美企仍热衷于中国制造》），对五莲县大力实施“产业强县”战略，把“优化营商环境”作为“一号服务工程”，精简审批流程，提供一站式服务，打造“莲捷办”营商环境品牌，让美企仍然热衷于中国制造的做法进行了报道。

US companies still keen to manufacture in China

By XU WEI in Wulian, Shandong

In a factory complex covering about 6.5 hectares in Shandong province, workers were busy assembling log splitters, excavators and chipper shredders for export to markets in Europe and the United States.

Built with an investment of $50 million by US company Yardmax Holdings Inc last year, the factory's prowess in manufacturing forestry machinery has paved the way for its expansion into markets across 69 countries and regions.

The TIYA Construction Equipment Co factory in the bustling industrial heart of Wulian county is expected to have annual sales of 200 million to 250 million yuan ($27.7 million to $34.7 million) once it reaches full production capacity.

Li Zonghui, an executive with the company, said the key factors that led the US firm to boost its investment in China were robust market demand, strong supply chains and the abundance of skilled technical workers.

"The prospects for this year are even better as we still have lots of orders to catch up with," he said.

That optimism is shared by many other US firms in China, with the latest survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China finding a growing proportion of respondents were optimistic about their profit potential in China over the next two years.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises in China reached 53,766 last year, up 39.7 percent year-on-year. Actual foreign direct investment dropped by 8 percent year-on-year to 1.13 trillion yuan.

Li said the company is planning to move its research and development arm to Wulian in the near future.

He said a key reason for the surge in orders is that the company is able to design and produce machinery products that are compact and highly versatile, making them ideal for use in homes, small farms and municipal projects.

Wang Yushi, chief executive of Rizhao Bei An Wood Industry Co, a producer of cribs and cradles for the US market, said the strength of supply chains, skilled labor and sound infrastructure in China remained key factors that will keep his company from relocating or outsourcing to other countries in the longer term.

Workers at Rizhao Bei An Wood Industry Co prepare wood for the production of cribs and cradles to be exported to the United States market. 

Wang's company, a joint venture with US firm Dream On Me Inc, began production in March last year. Orders started to surge in the second half, with its baby products among the bestsellers at Walmart and Amazon.

He said it has decided to scale up its presence in the domestic market, as its new manufacturing complex starts to take shape next door.

"We are full of confidence for 2024 because our orders have been fully packed," he said.

Another key factor encouraging foreign and joint ventures to build up their presence is local authorities' commitment to improving the business climate.

Zhao Erhao, Party chief of the subdistrict office in Gaoze, where TIYA Construction is located, said the government streamlined approvals and provided one-stop services to help the US company solve its problems, including access to natural gas, telecommunications and electricity.

He added that it only took about 270 days for the company to start production after breaking ground on the factory.

"We are trying to provide services to businesses like they are our clients, responding promptly to their needs," he said.

At the national level, the government has also ratcheted up steps to garner opinions from foreign businesses to help them better meet their challenges.

Zhu Bing, head of the Commerce Ministry's foreign investment administration department, said the ministry has held 15 roundtable meetings, with participation from over 400 foreign-funded enterprises and foreign business associations, to hear feedback from foreign businesses.

Through the exchanges, the government has improved and refined a number of regulations — something highly valued by foreign enterprises — promoted openness in key areas, addressed sensitive issues of concern and continuously optimized the business environment, he added.

译文：

美企仍热衷于中国制造

记者 徐伟

在昌信（五莲）工程机械有限公司占地65万平方米的厂房里，工人们正忙着组装原木劈裂机、挖掘机和削片机等园林机械，这些产品将在不久后出口欧美市场。

该企业位于山东省五莲县工业发展的核心区域，由美国亚德迈斯控股公司投资5000万美元建成。企业在制造园林机械方面具备核心竞争力，产品远销69个国家和地区。项目达产后，预计每年可实现销售收入10亿元，利税1亿元。

公司办公室主任厉宗辉表示，推动亚德迈斯增加在中国投资的关键因素是强劲的市场需求以及该县强大的供应链和大量熟练的技术工人。

“今年的前景更好，因为我们还有很多订单要赶，”他说。

中国美国商会近期发布的中国商务环境调查报告显示，越来越多的在华美企对未来两年在中国的盈利潜力方面持乐观态度，半数受访美企表示将中国列为全球首选或前三位投资目的地。商务部数据显示，去年中国新设立外商投资企业达53766家，同比增长39.7%。

厉宗辉说，该公司正计划在不久的将来将其研发部门转移到五莲。他表示，订单持续不断的一个关键原因是，该公司能够设计和生产结构紧凑、通用性强的机械产品，非常适合在家庭、小型农场和市政项目中使用。

同样地处五莲的日照贝安木业有限公司所生产的婴儿床和摇篮等产品在美国市场广受欢迎。公司总经理王玉石表示，中国具备供应链的优势、熟练劳动力和完善的基础设施。这些关键因素决定他的公司不会搬迁或外包到其他国家。

日照贝安木业有限公司的工人正在准备用于生产婴儿床和摇篮的木材。该企业生产的婴儿床和摇篮等产品畅销美国。

贝安木业是一家美国Dream On Me公司投资的合资企业，于去年3月开始投入生产。王玉石表示，该公司订单在下半年开始激增，产品在美国沃尔玛和亚马逊平台都很畅销。

他说，随着该公司二期项目的落成，下一步将扩大在国内市场的销售规模。“我们对2024年充满信心，因为我们的订单目前已经基本排满了。”

该县多措并举做优做实优化营商环境“一号服务工程”更让外企吃下了定心丸。

昌信公司地处高泽街道，街道办事处党委书记赵尔好表示，政府简化了审批流程，提供一站式服务迅速帮助该公司解决了路灯杆挪移、雨污水处理以及燃气、通信等一系列问题，为项目建设扫清了路障。

他介绍，该项目从破土到投产只花了大约270天时间。“我们尽全力为企业提供服务，就像他们是我们的客户一样，必须迅速回应他们的诉求。”

国家层面，中国政府也更加重视听取外国企业的意见和反馈，帮助他们更好地应对发展所面临的挑战。

商务部外国投资管理司司长朱冰在一月份国务院政策例行吹风会上表示，商务部去年举行了15次圆桌会议，有400多家外资企业和外国商协参加，以听取外国企业的反馈意见。

朱冰介绍，这一机制“改进完善了一批外资企业高度关注的政策规定，推动一批外资企业高度重视的开放领域，解释说明了一批外资企业怀有疑虑的敏感问题，不断优化了营商环境”。