BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have coordinated efforts to solve problems foreign enterprises encounter to minimize the impacts of the epidemic, and some foreign firms have resumed production, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.
In general, the impact of the epidemic on China's economy is short-term and temporary since the Chinese government has sufficient policy space to boost the economy, and the long-term positive trend of the economy will not change, spokesman Geng Shuang told an online press briefing.
China's epidemic prevention and control measures are showing results, and China is actively supporting and promoting the resumption of work by enterprises and institutions, including foreign companies, he said.
Many foreign enterprises in China have said they believe China will overcome difficulties soon and maintain sound and stable economic growth, Geng said, adding that the epidemic has not affect their confidence in investing and operating in China.
Honeywell, an American manufacturer, said 18 of its 21 factories in China have resumed full production, and the other three have partly resumed work. Ford said that China's huge market demand remains and that the company is confident in China's development, according to the spokesman.
"Those remarks epitomize foreign enterprises' views on China. We thank them for their understanding and support in China's fight against the virus, and appreciate their confidence in China's economic prospects," he added.
Geng stressed that as the Chinese and world economies are highly integrated, China's challenges are also the world's, which means helping China is helping the world.
"The urgent task for the international community is to make concerted efforts in fighting the novel coronavirus, resume normal state-to-state exchange and cooperation as early as possible, and provide support and convenience for international trade and steady global economic growth," he said.
