BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory letter on Friday to the signing ceremony of the coffee innovation park to be built by Starbucks in eastern China's Jiangsu Province.
Noting that Starbucks has made contributions and shared opportunities in the process of China's reform and opening-up over the years, Li said the innovation park, aligning with the latest international standards and featuring green production, is conducive to the innovation of modern industrial chain and supply chain.
China will make further efforts to widen market access and create an equitable and better business environment for both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises, Li said in the letter.
China's market potential is huge, and the fundamentals for long-term economic growth remain sound, Li said, adding that China will continue to be a hot spot for foreign investment.
"We welcome enterprises from all over the world to further expand their cooperation with China and better achieve common development," Li said.
With an initial investment of 130 million U.S. dollars, the innovation park is expected to be the largest manufacturing investment by the world's leading coffee chain outside the United States.
The park, located in Kunshan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Jiangsu Province, will incorporate the entire supply chain, including import and export of coffee beans, roasting, packaging, warehousing, distribution and training.
Starbucks has opened more than 4,300 stores on the Chinese mainland, with over 58,000 employees.
