Investing.com -- China's commerce ministry met with representatives from more than 50 foreign pharmaceutical companies on Friday, according to a ministry statement.

The meeting included companies such as Sanofi, Novartis, BD, Danaher, Merck, Eli Lilly, and Gilead Sciences, the statement showed.

Ling Ji, a vice commerce minister who led the meeting, said China is committed to improving pricing mechanisms and regulatory systems for the health care sector. Ji added that China welcomes pharmaceutical companies from all countries to deepen their presence in the Chinese market.