Technology transfer not needed for Chinese market access, Commerce Minister says

China will not use forced technology transfer as a criteria for foreign companies to gain access to the Chinese market, a senior official said recently. In his answer to questions from Bloomberg News, China’s Commerce Minister Chen Deming said, "The Chinese government is committed to the policy of reform and opening up and welcomes and encourages, as always, foreign investment,” reported the English version of the People’s Daily. The Minster’s remarks were published on the Ministry’s website.

Shortly after China joined the World Trade Organization, it conducted comprehensive review of its laws and regulations governing foreign trade and economic relations, and canceled stipulations of forced technology transfer, Chen added.

"Technology transfer and technological cooperation shall be decided by businesses independently and will not be used by the Chinese government as precondition for market access," he said.