TIANJIN, China, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Foreign businesses in China will be given the same treatment as local companies, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told the World Economic Forum on Monday.
Trying to soothe concerns of foreign investors, Wen said foreign suppliers would have a level playing field with local firms in bidding for government contracts.
"I would like to reiterate that all enterprises registered in China in accordance with law are Chinese companies," he told a meeting of the World Economic Forum in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.
"Their products are regarded as made-in-China and their inventions as created-in-China," Wen added. "China will treat foreign-invested enterprises and local companies equally and fairly in government procurement."
China has repeatedly said that it will not discriminate against foreign businesses, but global executives worry that new rules meant to support innovation in China could make it harder to win contracts in the fast-growing market.
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said in its annual position paper earlier this month that a host of barriers prevented its members from competing with their local rivals on a level playing field. [ID:nTOE68104C]
Wen said that China would improve its legal framework further to create a better environment for foreign businesses. (Reporting by Benjamin Kang Lim and Aileen Wang; Writing by Zhou Xin; Editing by Ken Wills)