The Shanghai Daily reports:

A SURVEY of 120 cities and 12,400 firms in China shows that city-level investment climate varies widely. Business law and regulation are basically the same throughout China. Hence, differences mainly reflect local government efforts - or lack of efforts - to operate efficiently.

In general, the investment climate of China's regions can be ranked from best to worst as the follows:

1. Southeast (Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong);

2. Bohai (Shandong, Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei);

3. Central (Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi);

4. Northeast (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning);

5. Southwest (Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, and Hainan); and

6. Northwest (Shanxi, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, Gansu, and Xinjiang).

Six cities offer outstanding performance in overall investment climate (both for domestic firms and for foreign firms), in government effectiveness (toward both domestic firms and foreign firms), and in progress toward achieving a harmonious society.

To read more:

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/11/15/297112/World_Bank__Southeast_China_tops_in_climate_for_investment.htm