China's business environment is one of the key topics during the Two Sessions. As China vows to facilitate business, I sat down with several foreign entrepreneurs in Yiwu City in east China's Zhejiang Province, focusing on their concerns and suggestions on the Chinese business environment.

Visas and IP protection are among the major concerns and challenges for foreign businessmen in China

Each year, around 500,000 global traders come to Yiwu to do business, and around 15,000 live here. When asking about the major challenges for foreign businessmen here in China, Malcolm Pious, who is from Uganda and has been living in China for 12 years, said visas were one of the major issues for him. In the past, he could only get six-month visas. Ummar Buhkari, who is from Pakistan, had the same sentiments.

While Fabio, a Colombian who has been doing business in China for 18 years, said IP protection was one of the major issues because he is afraid that some of his designs may be sold to others. Australian Simon Doyle also pointed out that there were some fake Australian wines currently in the market.

The Chinese government says it is taking measures to improve the business environment

To better address these problems, the Chinese government said the country has taken measures to improve the business environment. Malcolm said his visa has been extended to two years. And Ummar Bukhari said that because of the eased restrictions, opening a company now only takes one day. In the past, it took up to a year to register a company.

Foreigners are invited to the local government meetings

Each year before the annual National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) meetings, many local governments invite both Chinese and foreign representatives to participate in government meetings as a way of collecting suggestions and feedback. Buhkari said the local government listens to their suggestions carefully and thought face-to-face talk with senior officials plays a key role in facilitating understanding.

To explore new opportunities amid the slowing economy

The world economy is still slowing down, and so is the Chinese economy. Many foreign businessmen have felt it, but as Simon Doyle said the growing number of middle class in China offer more opportunities. And Fabio said many of his friends plan to open some factories here to produce some high-quality food for this group of people. 

Bukhari thought that although the economy is slowing down, there are still many other areas and places growing. People should focus on new technologies and new growth in new realities.

The NPC and CPPCC are the most important government meetings in China. Especially for the CPPCC, members from different sectors are invited to make their proposals to help the government improve their services. After talking with these foreign businessmen, I can tell why mutual communication plays a key role in facilitating understanding. And people expect more measures to serve the future and improve the places we live in.