Despite growing sales, EU firms frustrated with China

A majority of European companies operating in China saw their business improve last year despite growing frustration over operating impediments in the world’s second-largest economy, according to a survey. More than 50% of respondents in an annual survey on business confidence released Wednesday by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China reported higher sales last year over 2015, particularly among companies operating in the information technology, auto, machinery, cosmetics, retail and environmental sectors, The Wall Street Journal reports. Some firms saw their 2016 earnings, before interest and taxes, increase by 70% to 100% in 2016 over year-earlier levels. However, nearly 50% of the 570-some respondents reported that working in the country was more difficult last year than the year before. Foreign companies face such entrenched impediments as cumbersome regulations, vaguely worded laws, arbitrary implementation of policy and draconian internet rules.