The Ministry of Commerce in China announced its intention to explore the possibility of easing foreign ownership restrictions to make the country even more appealing to international investors. During a press conference, ministry spokesperson He Yadong stated that in addition to reducing its negative list for foreign investment, China is committed to enhancing its business environment and providing better support for foreign businesses.
China has continually revised its negative list for foreign investment over the past five years, progressively lowering barriers to foreign ownership in various sectors, including seed, automobile, vessel and aircraft manufacturing, securities, banking, and insurance, as detailed by the spokesperson.
A recent report from the Development Research Center of the State Council affirmed China’s consistent status as the world’s second-largest recipient of foreign investment since 2017, reaffirming its position as a highly attractive global investment destination. In 2022, China recorded a significant 8 percent year-on-year increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), with a total of $189.1 billion in actual use, further solidifying its stature as an investment hub. Notably, China’s global share of FDI surged from 8.2 percent in 2012 to 14.6 percent in 2022.
