Is China getting meaner to foreign companies? In recent months the press has been full of stories suggesting that a rising tide of economic nationalism was about to drown foreign firms.
Although many foreign companies are more profitable than ever in China, they complain that the business environment is deteriorating. China's economic pie continues to grow, but foreign companies are being offered smaller slices than their Chinese competitors.
There is no doubt that China is no longer desperate for foreign capital. But we always thought the “mean China” idea was greatly exaggerated, and now there is some concrete evidence to support our view that there is no concerted campaign against foreign businesses.