However, the firm said that it was committed to the Chinese market and planned to open 700 new stores in the country in 2013.

BBC: Yum Brands profit dips amid food safety scare in China

In December China Investment Corporation, one of the country's many sovereign-wealth funds, acknowledged buying shares of Chinese banks on the open market.

ECONOMIST: The opening up of China��s economy goes into reverse

"China still needs America's market, needs to keep the U.S. dollar strong, and also needs the U.S. to open its market to Chinese export, " said Yan Xuetong, an America-watcher in Tsinghua University.

CNN: Stakes are high for U.S., China during Clinton visit

The news agency calls on Washington to open up market access for Chinese companies in return for similar favours from China.

BBC: China media: Xi's foreign policy