China on Thursday defended its policies on foreign investment, saying that the country has been one of the "most attractive" investment destinations in the world.

"China is committed to its reform and opening-up policy and will continue to build an open and transparent legal environment based on relevant laws and regulations as well as rules set by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to embrace foreign direct investment," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said during a press conference.

Jiang's remarks came in reply to a reporter's question concerning U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke's recent comments about doing business in China. Locke was reported saying that it has become increasingly difficult to do business in China and that restrictions on foreign investment have been a major obstacle for U.S.-China relations.

Jiang cited statistics from the latest world investment report, released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 2010, which said that China received the second-largest amount of foreign direct investment in 2010.

"These statistics explain everything," Jiang noted.

Jiang stressed that all businesses that are legally established in China enjoy the same treatment as Chinese enterprises.

"We welcome businesses from all over the world, including those from the United States," Jiang said, expressing her hope that these companies will take an active part in China's reform and opening-up process and share in the country's growth and prosperity.

However, the spokeswoman warned that competition in the Chinese market has been fierce, and that foreign companies can only succeed by further exercising their competitive edges.

In regards to Locke, who has been nominated to become the next ambassador to China, Jiang said China hopes the new ambassador can play a positive role in boosting exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States.

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