BEIJING -- China's business environment for foreigners has improved, not worsened, Wang Guoqing, spokesman for the annual session of the Chinese political advisory body, said Wednesday.

The Chinese government is firmly determined to build an internationalized environment featuring the rule of law and facilitation for foreign investment, Wang said at a press conference in Beijing.

"I believe China will continue to be the world's popular destination of investment and profit can be made here," said Wang, spokesman for the Fourth Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which will open on Thursday.

Chinese leaders have reiterated on recent international occasions that China will create good environment for foreign-funded firms and protect their legal interests instead of altering its policy of attracting foreign investment, he said.

According to the spokesman, he and other political advisors share the same impression about the gradual improvement of business environment for foreigners during their research in the eastern coastal provinces.

Foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland increased 6.4 percent and the number of newly-registered foreign-funded firms grew 11.8 percent year on year in 2015, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed.

It is true that it is a bit difficult to make money in China given the rise of costs, fiercer competition and the development of market economy, the spokesman said.

Wang also denied the possibility of a "hard landing" for the Chinese economy, as some overseas media had hyped.

"China's economy is sound despite current difficulties. We will maintain medium-high growth," he said.