Together with local lawmakers, 10 business heads of overseas-funded companies listened to the government report delivered by the governor of Jiangsu Province to the first session of its tenth people's congress, which convened in the provincial capital Nanjing on Monday.

"I have been deeply aware of the democratic and opening-up drives of Chinese society since I began working in China two years ago," said Herbert Awlig, general manager of BSW Household Appliance Co. Ltd., a joint venture between German electronics giant Siemens and Jiangsu's Little Swan Company to produce washing machines.

"It is surprising that we Germans were invited," Awlig said. "It is still unimaginable for Germans that China could allow foreigners to attend its parliamentary meeting -- an people's congress session," he added.

Founded in 1994 in Wuxi, a major industrial city in the province, Awlig's company now has an annual capacity to make 500,000 tumble washers and a staff of 430 people, and its sales in 2002 generated 500 million yuan (US$60 million).

"I feel honored to be here. I thought it was a joke when my secretary told me that I had been invited," said Michael Barbalas, general manager of Andrew Telecommunications (China) Co. Ltd.

Speaking in fluent Chinese, Barbalas praised the greater transparency in Chinese administrations and progress in laws and regulations under World Trade Organization rules since China joined the WTO, the world's largest trade negotiation body. "Now we have more access to learn about Chinese policies concerning all aspects," Barbalas said.

Colin Nicol, general manager of Roche Zhongya (Wuxi) Citric Acid Ltd, said he was impressed by Jiangsu's progress recorded in the report. Nicol's company has invested 100 million euros in Wuxi.

He especially noted that the operational problems his company had encountered were mentioned in the report by Acting Governor Liang Baohua and "every effort will be made to resolve them" as Nicol put it.

"I am glad to see that the Jiangsu provincial government seeks closer ties with its people and manages to meet people's needs," Awlig said.

As a foreign investor, Awlig was happy to know from the governor's report that the province would try to attract more overseas investment, and meanwhile would encourage Chinese businesses to invest in overseas countries and regions.

It was also very good that the report emphasized the importance of environmental protection, Awlig said, voicing his personal concern.

(People's Daily February 18, 2003)