China's economy remains on a trajectory of long-term growth, offering a stable and attractive environment for multinational companies to invest, officials say, highlighting vast opportunities for Japanese enterprises in China.

Speaking at the "Invest in China" foreign investment policy briefing in Tokyo on Tuesday, Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Ling Ji pointed to key emerging sectors — healthcare, elderly care, new energy, green development, artificial intelligence, and robotics — as driving forces of China's economy. These fields, he said, present significant market opportunities for Japanese businesses.

Ling expressed hope that forward-thinking Japanese investors would seize the moment to engage in these industries.

Last month, China's composite PMI output index remained above 50, indicating an expansion. Ling called this a sign of recovering market confidence and improving economic expectations.

Currently, China is expanding pilot programs in key sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare, and education, with plans for additional expansion this year.

"China remains committed to high-level opening-up. No matter the circumstances, regardless of which country closes its doors to China, ours will stay open — and only open wider," Ling said.

Last week, Yasuhiro Sato, chairman of the Japan-China Investment Promotion Organization, visited China as part of a Japanese delegation. He met with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and engaged in candid discussions with Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao.

Sato said Japanese companies place significant value on the Chinese market, noting that business and personnel exchanges between Japan and China continued to grow last year.

Boosting travel

To facilitate further engagement, China reinstated a visa-free policy for Japanese citizens from Nov 30, 2024, to Dec 31, 2025, allowing stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchange programs, and transit. Sato expects this move to boost Japanese travel to China, further strengthening bilateral exchanges.

"This year marks the Year of the Snake. Just as a snake sheds its skin to grow, I hope Japan-China economic relations will continue to develop, embrace challenges, and evolve," he said.

At Tuesday's Tokyo briefing, officials from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Department of Commerce of Liaoning Province outlined their efforts to promote foreign investment.

Representatives from development areas in Liaoning, Shandong, and Zhejiang provinces promoted local investment opportunities, seeking to expand collaboration.

Masayuki Sarumaru, chairman of Japan's manufacturing company YKK Corp, said the company has been operating in China since 1992.

"We have a continuous investment in new machinery and expand our manufacturing in China," Sarumaru said, adding YKK will further invest as needed to support manufacturing expansion.

Tanioku Shinji, executive officer and director of ASEAN & South Asia Business at Daiwa House, attended the briefing out of interest in policies, especially those aimed at promoting real estate investment.

Currently, he is involved in the condominium business in Changzhou and Suzhou, both in Jiangsu province.

"Many say the real estate market downturn will be prolonged, but to be honest, I remain hopeful — perhaps optimistically — that the situation will improve," he said.

[email protected]