BEIJING, Oct. 10 -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday that China will always welcome foreign companies, including U.S. companies, to invest and operate in China.

Spokesman Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on the accusation by some U.S. officials, lawmakers and media organizations that China manipulates U.S. enterprises and forces them to abandon their values.

In recent years, China's business environment for foreign investors has continued to improve, and China has been one of the most favored investment destinations for companies from around the world for many years, Geng said.

"As for U.S. companies, according to the latest survey data I have seen, 97 percent of surveyed U.S. companies made profits in China, and 74 percent of the members of the American Chamber of Commerce in China plan to expand investment in China," Geng said.

"If certain U.S. people were to be believed, could it be said that all these U.S. companies have been forced to abandon their values, and that they were all manipulated by China?" Geng said.

Geng said that China's policies to create a favorable environment for foreign companies will not change, nor will the policies to protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign companies.

China will also actively interact with the international community on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and welcomes foreign institutions and individuals to come to China for exchanges and cooperation, the spokesman added.