Rule of law benefits British investors in China

"By so doing, we aim to address the legitimate concerns of foreign investors in a timely manner, protect their lawful rights and interests, and foster a level playing field with open and transparent laws and policies, along with a more efficient administration," said Chinese President Xi Jinping in a written interview with the Wall Street Journal last month.

According to surveys by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and other authoritative international bodies, China remains the world's most attractive investment destination.

Claims about a changing investment climate in China and foreign investors losing confidence in China are not backed by facts.

In 2014, China received 120 billion US dollars in foreign investment, more than any other country, and continued to be the leading destination among developing countries for 23 years running.

In the first eight months of this year, the actual amount of foreign investment used by China totaled 85.3 billion dollars, up nine percent from the corresponding period of the previous year.

"We welcome all foreign companies in China and will respect and protect their lawful rights and interests provided that they abide by the laws and regulations of China and do nothing to undermine China's national interests and interests of Chinese consumers," said Xi.

Witty noted that businesses in China should be committed to long-term objectives. "You can't be in China on Monday, and not in China on Wednesday and back on Friday. You have to be in China," he said.

On September 23, GSK announced its plan to fund programs under China's National Health and Family Planning Commission to train about 13,000 physicians in the prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic hepatitis B over the next five years.

"We have been in here for a hundred years, we have ups and downs, but we continue to expand our offer, we continue to make clear that we will do more here," said Witty.