China stays the course on reform after third plenum, leaving Western businesses in limbo
- Without a hint of major pro-market reform after the third plenum, Western firms in China appear in a similar position as they were before

03:14
China’s Communist Party wraps up policy meeting amid growing uncertainties
Overseas enterprises in China will remain in a holding pattern before increasing their investments in the world’s second-largest economy, they said, waiting until a clearer picture emerges of what new reforms may be in store.
“Leading up to the third plenum, German companies had hoped for more guidance and clarification relating to economic stimulus measures as well as reforms,” said Maximilian Butek, executive director of the German Chamber of Commerce in China.
“Instead, it seems that we must prepare for a policy marked by caution and continuity.”
A communique released after the plenum’s conclusion covered the broad strokes, to be followed with more detail in later publications.