By LI JINGXIA

A bird's-eye view of Beihai Park and the Forbidden City.

Today, China is an area of strategic significance to foreign businesses. World IT giants like Bill Gates, Scott McNealy, and Michael Dell all formulated their individual development strategies after visiting China. Gates is soon to invest substantially in establishing a Chinese base, McNealy is jockeying for a bigger piece of the Chinese market, and Michael Dell has expressed his intention to make China a crucial link within his global strategy.

These facts confirm China's position within transnational corporate global strategy. To date, a total 20 transnational corporations have chosen Beijing as their regional headquarters, and among the top 500 transnational corporations, 160 have invested in Beijing.

What is it about Beijing that so draws international investors? And what impression do they have of Beijing?

"Chinese government officials are willing to exchange ideas with us."
-- Ernst H. Behrens, president and CEO of Siemens Ltd. China.

Siemens Mobile Football League Logo, 2003.

The decor of Behrens' office reflects his Chinese passion. He comments, "As you see, I am fascinated by Chinese culture, especially Chinese furniture and architecture." Behrens assumed his office of president and CEO of Siemens Ltd. China in October 1997. Having previously worked in Beijing in the early 1980s, he is amazed at the city's remarkable achievements over the past twenty years, particularly infrastructure construction.

Apart from his work at Siemens, Behrens is also chairman of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, as well as of the Foreign Investment Companies of China Association Executive Committee. His frequent contacts with Chinese government officials have impressed on him the efficiency of their work style.

"Chinese decision makers of today are much younger than previously. Many have had experience working overseas, and apply what they have learned to China's actual situation. This is great progress. Government officials at all levels are now willing to exchange ideas with foreign entrepreneurs and politicians. I am frequently invited to talk on issues such as environmental protection in Germany. Face-to-face communication between leaders and entrepreneurs is of great significance."

According to Behrens, Siemens has made rapid strides since 1997, thanks to improvements in China's investment environment. As of late September 2002, it had established a total 40 subsidiary companies at an overall long-term investment volume exceeding 610 million Euros. In 2002, its sales volume in China totaled 3.6 billion Euros.

Sony plasma color TV set.

"Beijing is suitable for long-term foreign enterprise development."
-- Hiroshi Shoda, Chairman of Sony (China) Ltd.

Hiroshi Shoda has lived in Beijing for ten years, and is witness to its remarkable achievements. "I am really astounded at the advances Beijing has made. New buildings spring up like mushrooms, and the CBD (central business district) in Chaoyang District will play a key role. Beijing's development has exceeded all my expectations." He also appreciates the efforts of government officials towards creating a good investment environment.

On being interviewed, Hiroshi says, "The investment environment attracts us here, and as a huge market with immense potential, China is full of business opportunities." Last year, Sony made the key decision of transferring its East Asia management headquarters from Tokyo to Beijing.

As a token of appreciation, Sony has built such public welfare popular science projects as the Sony Exploration Museum. This is its way of doing something for Beijing's young people and children.

Hiroshi says he will continue to live in Beijing, as it provides a huge scope of business, and it is his aim to lead Sony to ever-greater success. He can hardly wait till the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the unveiling of , when Beijing's new image.

Wal-mart Fuzhou outlet.

"Beijing is fertile investment soil."
-- Ned Irving, senior director of Wal-Mart China Co., Ltd.

In 2002, seven new Wal-Mart outlets opened in four Chinese cities, bringing the total number of Wal-Mart China stores to 25. In June, Beijing saw the opening of its first Sam's Club.

Irving enjoys his life in Beijing, with its wealth of historic sites and museums, and is enthusiastic about the new store. He says that as the government provides such a good investment environment, Beijing is an obvious choice for investors. He also expressed appreciation of the Beijing government's help and support, and the high quality service it provides, particularly its smooth, efficient registration procedure.

In 2002, Wal-Mart purchased US $12 billion worth of goods in China. International advanced management and highly efficient up-to-the-minute methods of circulation will provide an even larger scope in the future.

"Beijing's convenient investment procedures inspire great confidence."
- Al Wymann, group director of operations and development in China for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

During the time Al Wymann has developed and managed four hotel chains in Beijing, its rapid development and vital investment environment have left a deep impression on him. He has witnessed Beijing's dynamic development, and is cognizant of its boundless business opportunities. In order to encourage foreign investment, the Beijing government has given priority to environmental construction, and to making procedures simpler. Investors are hence more confident than ever. There is, however, still a way to go.

Beijing's first Shangri-La hotel appeared in 1986, and in the past seventeen years it has become a city in Asia with the largest number of Shangri-La hotels. The Kerry Center Hotel in central CBD (central business district) was built in 1999. Wymann states that by the year 2008, 35 new Shangri-La hotels will have been built on the Chinese mainland, with Beijing as the strategic focus.