China welcomes foreign firms to invest in the country and protects their legal rights and interests in accordance with the law, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday.

Hong made the remarks in response to an annual report which was quoted by a German news agency that the European Union Chamber said Chinese firms in most industries continued to receive more favorable treatment than foreign ones.

"Despite the slow economic recovery worldwide, China has maintained a good momentum for attracting foreign investment, which shows the country's attractiveness in terms of the investment climate," Hong said at a daily news briefing.

He said China will adhere to reform and opening up, and mutually beneficial principles while welcoming foreign investors to invest in the country.

China will continue to improve the investment climate, and effectively use public services and management to offer a fair, stable and transparent environment, the spokesman said.

"We believe foreign businesses will make greater progress from China's economic development under joint efforts of the two sides," Hong said.

He also called on foreign firms investing in China to abide by the Chinese laws and regulations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2013)