China promises to ease foreign access to gas, call centers

China's government has promised to ease restrictions on foreign investment in gas pipelines, call centres and some other businesses in its latest market-opening measures. Sunday's Cabinet announcement adds to a series of such measures announced amid trade tensions with Washington, though none directly addresses American complaints about Beijing's technology ambitions and controls on foreign companies.

The latest measures also promise more foreign access to some businesses in agriculture and mining. The ruling Communist Party has announced a series of market-opening measures over the past 18 months as part of efforts to make China's state-dominated economy more productive.

Foreign business groups welcome the changes but say many have little effect so far on foreign companies.