The Chinese unit of South Korea's Samsung Group said Thursday that it was ranked one of the most respected companies in China, citing an annual survey of a Chinese business newspaper.

Samsung and eight other foreign companies, including Volkswagen, IBM and BMW, were included on the list released by the Economic Observer newspaper.

The survey attributed innovation edge, corporate social responsibility, environment protection and global strategy to the companies that gain respect, according to a statement released by the Chinese unit of Samsung. (Yonhap)