Beijing will continue cutting red tape to help drive foreign investment, Xinhua reports.

The state-run news agency reported the comments of Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng.

Last month saw a 9.2-percent year-on-year decline in foreign direct investment (FDI).

Mr Gao said on Tuesday that the decline was not reflective of the Mainland’s appeal to foreign investors. He said the government would roll out favourable policies to encourage FDI in central, western and northeast regions this year, with the goal of ensuring the Mainland remains the most competitive and appealing destination for foreign investment.