Chinese firms to be allowed to participate in Government contracts?

Government sources have clarified that reports claiming the Finance Ministry is planning to lift restrictions on Chinese companies participating in government contracts are premature and inaccurate. They said no such decision has been taken so far. According to officials, inter-ministerial consultations are yet to take place on any related proposal, and the matter remains under internal discussion. The current restrictions, imposed on grounds of national security and reciprocity, continue to remain in force. Any change in policy, sources said, would require extensive review and inputs from concerned ministries, including commerce, external affairs, and home affairs, before being considered. Hence, speculation about a policy reversal is unfounded at this stage.