Top executives weigh in at CIIE (IV)

Adele Tao, senior vice-president, Lixil Group, CEO, Lixil Water Technology, Greater China

A1: This is the second year for Lixil to attend CIIE. Last year, Lixil made its debut on this platform of 'Co-creation and Sharing' and received fruitful results. Through this experience, Lixil has deeply felt the 'China Speed' on the transition of 'Exhibits to Commodities' and leveraged the precious opportunity of 'Exhibitors to Investors'. CIIE's strong spillover and driving effects have also strengthened Lixil's determination to participate again in this grand event.

As a global water and housing products manufacturer, Lixil hopes that by attending CIIE, the valuable platform that provides omni-channels for exchange and opportunities, we can strengthen the bonds with the partners in the industry ecosystems, so that more people can learn about Lixil's sustainable home solutions and more partners can co-construct a sustainable future together with Lixil.

A2: The outbreak of the pandemic last year has brought huge challenges to the world economy and the business operations of various organizations. The successful holding of the past two CIIE not only demonstrated China's outstanding ability in controlling the pandemic and stabilizing the economic and social development, but also boosted the global economy and trade recovery. At the CIIE, the platform that shares 'China Opportunities' and 'World Opportunities', companies from all countries can carry out more international trades through exchanges and communications, providing valuable opportunities for the recovery of the world economy.

A3: Imports are a crucial bridge that connects domestic and international circulations, and an important channel for the world to explore the Chinese market. The huge market advantage and domestic demand potential formed by China's 1.4 billion population provide development opportunities for countries around the world to expand exports to China. At the same time, China continues to optimize its business environment and actively expand imports. It has organized large-scale exhibitions such as the CIFTIS, CIIE and Hainan Expo, focusing on different areas for opening-up, and established win-win platforms of open partnerships for global companies including Lixil.

A4: Nowadays, emission peak and carbon neutrality have gradually become global issues. The realization of green economy and sustainable development is not only the trend of the housing industry, but also the trend of the entire Chinese consumer market and even the world. How to better conserve resources, reduce emissions, and achieve the Dual Carbon Goal has been a shared topic for all walks of life. This is not only the social responsibility for enterprises, but also the gist to maintain their momentum and competitive advantage.

A5: Lixil has been in China for 10 years. Lixil has witnessed China's development as well as China's efforts to stabilize the global economic development and foreign investment. As one of the beneficiaries of China's business environment, Lixil is fully confident in the prospects of China's future economic growth. China will continue to be a significant region for Lixil to accelerate its business growth.

A6: After 10-year dedication in China, Lixil has witnessed many measures taken by China to reform the foreign investment management system and create a fair and transparent business environment. With actions such as China's opening up and optimizing the business environment, the legitimate rights and interests of foreign enterprises in China can be better protected in a more friendly and fair market environment. Enterprises can also better seize the 'China Opportunities', activate new investment and economic vitality, creating soils for the growth of the industry. China's Foreign Investment Law and Regulation on Optimizing the Business Environment has also taken into effect, which shows China's determination and actions to open up further to the world and accelerate economic globalization.

A7: With the roll-out of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), China's service trade area has shown broad development potential and opportunities. At present, China has a huge consumer market with a population of 1.4 billion, and the consumption pattern is shifting from physical to service-centered. Therefore, while continuing to open up, in-depth institutional and policy innovations -- such as the improvement of legal systems including intellectual property rights -- will further attract more high-quality services into the Chinese market, expand the effective supply of the entire service industry, and assist in China's manufacturing upgrade and development of foreign trade.

A8: With the gradual rise of anti-globalization such as global trade protectionism and unilateralism, China has firmly upheld the international free trade and established a new opening pattern of multilateral trade. From the Belt and Road Initiative to the signing of RCEP, China has continuously expanded its opening-up, promoted the liberalization of trade and investment, helping foreign enterprises to better seize the opportunities in the Chinese market. At the same time, with the domestic circulation as the main body, China has built the new development pattern mutually promoting the domestic and international circulations and empowered the steady growth of the global economy.