Reforms spur expansion in central and western regions

Foreign direct investment into central and western China registered double-digit growth in the first four months of this year, as local authorities build a transparent and equal business environment for global companies to further tap into markets with vast potential.

The hefty expansion in these areas came as China has gone full steam ahead in further opening-up and simplifying procedures for foreign investors to start businesses.

"FDI into central and western China continued to grow between January and April," Gao Feng, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, said at a regular conference.