US firms in China remain upbeat despite challenges

American companies say nation will stay as an investment priority amid economic slowdown

Despite the mainland's economic slowdown and increasing competition from local companies, most US businesses in China remain profitable and are optimistic about the market, according to the latest survey by the US-China Business Council.

The 2016 China Business Environment report, a USCBC annual membership survey, found that 90 percent of companies remained profitable, but at lower margins that reflected increasing competition, rising costs, regulatory hurdles - and in some sectors, overcapacity.