China Won’t Force Technology Transfers, Commerce Minister Says

China won’t force foreign companies to transfer technology to ventures with their local partners in order to gain access to markets in the world’s second-largest economy, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said.

“The Chinese government is committed to the policy of reform and opening up and welcomes and encourages, as always, foreign investment,” Chen said in a written response to questions from Bloomberg News. “Technology transfer and technology cooperation shall be decided by businesses independently and will not be used by the Chinese government as a pre-condition for market access.”