Editor's note: Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, China has been making continued efforts to create a business enabling environment for both domestic companies and overseas investment. The government has been steadily advancing reforms to streamline administration, delegate power, improve regulation and upgrade services. It has also rolled out such policies as replacing business tax with value-added-tax across the board, providing greater tax preferences for micro, small and medium sized businesses, and mitigating the difficulties they face in accessing affordable financing. 

As a result, China's business and investment environment has improved remarkably over the past decade. Here are some of the highlights of the country's progress in this regard.