Up to now, seven out of Forbes-nominated World Top 500 Companies have settled in the city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including Pepsi, NEC from Japan, Hankel from Germany and KFC.

By this April, McDonald has opened 344 stores in China.

Li Yongshun, senior official with McDonald China Development Company, said the company has opened three stores in Guangxi and will open more in the future.

Aside from wonderland landscapes, market potentials and sound investment environment have made the city more attractive to overseas investors.

Guilin reported 50 new overseas-funded enterprises last year, using overseas capital totaling US$40 million in contractual terms.

(Eastday 04/29/2001)