"California is a good target for Chinese investors because we are looking for infrastructural development such as hotels and a baseball stadium."

Jean Quan, mayor of Oakland in northern California, explaining how the state, now fifth in the United States in terms of investment from China, aims to climb higher by tapping its intrinsic strengths.

"We hope the US authorities can treat Chinese investors in an objective way, keep political elements away from business cooperation, and ensure the security checks are open, fair and transparent."

Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, saying that China opposes any country blocking Chinese investors on the pretext of national security, as it is indicative of discrimination.

"The private economy contributes more than 60 percent of China's GDP and it absorbs a majority of employees. So if private business owners emigrate with their capital, it would mean less investment in the domestic market, so fewer jobs would be created."

Wang Huiyao, director of the Center for China and Globalization, discussing how the growing number of Chinese opting for investment immigration could damage employment and rural economies in their homeland, according to the 2012 Annual Report on Chinese International Migration released on Dec 17.

(China Daily 12/21/2012 page14)