Beijing industry minister says no discrimination against foreign companies

China’s Industry Minister Miao Wei brushed aside foreign firms’ concerns on Saturday that Beijing’s programme to upgrade its industry would become a market barrier.

He made the remarks in response to a detailed analysis by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, which lashed out against “the problematic” Made in China 2025 initiative to move up China’s industry base, saying it hurt foreign companies.

China rolled out Made in China 2025 two years ago, aiming to develop home-grown high-tech expertise in 10 key industries and become a tech superpower by 2025. The EU chamber voiced worries about the government subsidies for local companies and forced technology transfers in exchange for market access.

“The [chamber’s] report is very long, 58 pages with the Chinese version, and I spent three days reading it,” said Miao, head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

“Generally speaking, the proposals it raised are helpful for our work, but there are some misinterpretations on Made in China 2025,” he said.

Miao said the initiative would continue its market orientation but “government guidance” was also needed, a common practice worldwide.