China: Foreign investment

FDI in Figures

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2021 were UDS 1.58 trillion, up 64 per cent from the exceptionally low level in 2020. The recovery showed significant rebound momentum, with booming merger and acquisition (M&A) markets and rapid growth in international project finance because of loose financing conditions and major infrastructure stimulus packages. However, the global environment for international business and cross-border investment changed dramatically in 2022. The war in Ukraine – on top of the lingering effects of the pandemic – is causing a triple food, fuel and finance crisis in many countries around the world. Investor uncertainty could put significant downward pressure on global FDI in 2022. The 2021 growth momentum is unlikely to be sustained. Indeed, world flows in the second quarter of 2022, the latest data available, were down 31% from the first quarter and 7% less than the quarterly average of 2021 (UNCTAD Global Investment Trends Monitor, October 2022). The negative trend reflects a shift in investor sentiment due to the food, fuel and finance crises around the world, the Ukraine war, rising inflation and interest rates, and fears of a coming recession. Expectations for the full year are for a marked slowdown. In developing Asia, despite successive waves of COVID-19, FDI rose to an all-time high for the third consecutive year, reaching $619 billion. Asia is the largest recipient region, accounting for 40 per cent of global FDI. However, inflows remain highly concentrated; six economies account for more than 80 per cent of FDI to the region (UNCTAD, October 2022).

According to the World Investment Report 2022 published by UNCTAD, FDI inflows into China actually increased by 5.74% in 2020, to USD 149.34 billion, up from USD 141.22 billion in 2019 before a further increase to 180.95 billion USD in 2021. This was also the result of successful pandemic containment measures and rapid recovery. The stock of FDI in 2020 reached USD 1 918 billion, an exponential growth when compared to 2010 when the stock was USD 587 billion, before reaching 2 064 billion USD in 2021. The service sector led growth, accounting for more than 70% of inflows; FDI accelerated especially in technology-related industries. With the aim of boosting investment, the government expanded the number of industries open to FDI, lifted restrictions on foreign investment in key industries and amended the negative list for foreign investment in pilot free trade zones, which increased by 11%. M&A sales increased by 97 % (to USD 19 billion), mainly in the ICT and pharmaceutical industries. The value of new greenfield investments announced in 2021 contracted substantially in sectors such as transport and automotive. In 2020, China was ranked the world's second largest FDI recipient after the United States. The country is the largest recipient in Asia and the leading investing country in terms of FDI outflows. China's main investors have remained broadly stable. Inflows from the US and Europe have dropped, but regional investment has continued to increase as flows from ASEAN countries grow. Singapore, the Virgin Islands, South Korea, the Cayman Islands, Japan, Germany and the United States count among major investors. Investments are mainly oriented towards manufacturing, real estate, leasing business and services, computer services, wholesale and retail trade, financial intermediation, scientific research, transport, energy, and construction.

China made improvement in a wide array of subcomponents ranging from procedures for starting a business to measures to improve electricity access and get construction permits. The country demonstrated reform agendas that aim to improve the business regulatory environment in the country over the course of several years. The reforms mainly focus on increasing the efficiency of business processes, such as tax cuts, trade with tariff cuts, and reduced barriers to foreign investors. In order to attract further foreign investment, the country has introduced mechanisms to improve the delivery of major foreign investment projects, reduce import tariffs, streamline customs clearance, and establish an online filing system to regulate FDI. With a wealth of employees and potential partners eager to learn and evolve, the country is a base for low cost production, which makes it an attractive market for investors. Nevertheless, certain factors can hinder investments, such as China’s lack of transparency, legal uncertainty, low level of protection of intellectual property rights, corruption or protectionist measures which favour local businesses. FDI inflows to the high-tech sector have been rising significantly and currently account for almost a third of total inflows.

In the first half of 2022 inflows were already reaching 147.78 billion USD (OECD FDI In Figures, October 2022)

The country is ranking 50th amongst 82 countries reviewed in the latest Economist Intelligence Unit business environment rankings for 2022-26. As China continues to lead the global recovery from the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign multinationals are doubling down on their investments in China, establishing thousands of new firms and expanding existing ones. Despite economic and financial tensions and a series of foreign restrictions on the transfer of technology to China, China continues to attract record amounts both of foreign direct investment and inflows of portfolio investment into listed onshore Chinese equities and Chinese government bonds (PIIE, 2020). Total foreign investment in China for 2021 is likely to surge by double digits from a year earlier if current trends continue (China Ministry of Commerce, November 2021).

The latest United NationAsia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends Report provides additional information on FDI in China and Asia-Pacific in 2022 and 2023.

Foreign Direct Investment	2019	2020	2021
FDI Inward Flow (million USD)	141,225	149,342	180,957
FDI Stock (million USD)	1,769,486	1,918,828	2,064,018
Number of Greenfield Investments*	835	412	481
Value of Greenfield Investments (million USD)	61,999	31,948	31,500

Source: UNCTAD, Latest available data.

Note: * Greenfield Investments are a form of Foreign Direct Investment where a parent company starts a new venture in a foreign country by constructing new operational facilities from the ground up.

FDI STOCKS BY COUNTRY AND BY INDUSTRY

Main Investing Countries	2019, in %
The Mainland of China	69.7
Singapore	5.5
South Korea	4.0
Virgin Islands	3.6
Japan	2.7
USA	1.9
Cayman Islands	1.8
Germany	1.2

Main Invested Sectors	2019, in %
Manufacturing	25.5
Real estate	17.0
Leasing and business services	16.0
Information transmission, computer services and software	10.6
Scientific research, technical service and geologic prospecting	8.0
Wholesale and retail trade	6.5
Financial intermediation	5.1
Transport, storage and post	3.3
Production and supply of electricity, gas and water	2.5
Construction	0.8

Form of Company Preferred By Foreign Investors: WFOE
Form of Establishment Preferred By Foreign Investors: Holding
Main Foreign Companies: A substantial number of foreign multinationals operate in China: GM, KFC, Cummins (CMI), Starbucks, Apple, Intel (INTC), Dell Computer (DELL), Texas Instruments (TXN), Walmart, Nike (NKE), Gucci, Abercrombie & Fitch, Toyota and Samsung.
Sources of Statistics: Invest in China

What to consider if you invest in China

Strong Points

Strong points for FDI in China include:

The largest internal market in the world, with 1.44 billion potential customers
Sovereign risk contained as public debt remains mainly domestic and denominated in local currency
Importance of foreign currency reserves and public debt owned by Chinese government and individuals
A well-developed production sector (manufacturing sector and heavy industry)
A favourable geographic location (close to emerging Asian markets, to Japan, maritime frontage)
Top economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) thanks to rapid growth of the economy
Labour costs remain comparatively low, although the situation is changing in certain areas
New opportunities with the development of the western provinces (particularly Sichuan province)
Development of a new export network (Silk Road network)

Weak Points

Some of the disadvantages for FDI in China include:

An ever-changing legal environment
Bureaucratic and administrative complexities
A lack of transparency and weak intellectual property rights protection
Ageing population
High level of corporate indebtedness
Production overcapacity in several sectors
A strongly degraded environmental situation in several big cities
Cultural differences in business practices that may be difficult for foreigners to learn and apply in new business situations
Underdeveloped middle management and low rate of qualified workers

Government Measures to Motivate or Restrict FDI

Generally speaking, the Chinese government is more restrictive than other big economies in regard to foreign investment, with numerous sectors closed to FDI. State companies and "national flagships" are protected (discriminatory practises, non-independent judicial power, selective application of regulations). Until a few months ago, the Chinese state required forced technology transfer and its system of intellectual property protection was among the weakest in most industrialised countries.

The Chinese government encourages investment in the following industries or sectors: high technology, production of equipment or new materials, service sector, recycling, use of renewable energies and protection of the environment. In addition, the country appears to discourage foreign investment in key sectors, for which China seeks to transform domestic firms into globally competitive multinational corporations and sectors that have historically benefited from state monopolies or traditionally of State. The government also discourages investments intended to profit from speculation (money, real estate, or assets). In addition, the government plans to limit foreign investment in resource-intensive and highly polluting industries.

The Law on Foreign Investments of the People's Republic of China, adopted at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress on 15 March 2019, has been in force since 1 January 2020. The new Foreign Investment Law seeks to address common complaints from foreign businesses and governments. The Law specifically prohibits the government and government officials from forcing transfer of technology, while technology cooperation on the basis of free will and business rules is encouraged by the state. Indeed, article 22 stats that the State shall protect the intellectual property rights of foreign investors and foreign-funded enterprises. The law also gives the possibility to foreign investors to receive the same treatment when they apply for licences (article 30) and participate in public procurement (article 16). The competent departments for commerce (Ministry of Commerce) and for investment (National Development and Reform Commission) are delegated major responsibility to promote, protect and manage foreign investment.

On June 23, 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOF) jointly issued two "negative lists" (on Foreign Investment and Free Trade Zone Special Administrative Measures) and a draft edition of the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment. Compared with the 2019 edition (full list in Chinese available here), the proposed 2020 Foreign Investment encouraged catalogue has been further lengthened, with 125 new industries added and 76 previously listed industries amended. There are no major changes compared to the 2019 catalogue; it welcomes more FDI in the following three main areas of China: high-end production; production-oriented service industries; China’s central, western, and northeastern provinces.

Protection of Foreign Investment

Bilateral Investment Conventions Signed By China: China has signed bilateral agreements for investments with several countries. To see the list of the countries, consult UNCTAD website.
International Controversies Registered By UNCTAD: The ISDS Navigator contains information about known international arbitration cases initiated by investors against States pursuant to international investment agreements. China is involved in 6 cases as Home State of claimant and in 3 cases as Respondent State.
Organizations Offering Their Assistance in Case of Disagreement: ICSID , International Center for settlement of Investment Disputes
Member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency: China is a signatory of the Convention of MIGA.

Country Comparison For the Protection of Investors	China	East Asia & Pacific	United States	Germany
Index of Transaction Transparency*	10.0	5.9	7.0	5.0
Index of Manager’s Responsibility**	4.0	5.2	9.0	5.0
Index of Shareholders’ Power***	5.0	6.7	9.0	5.0

Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.

Note: *The Greater the Index, the More Transparent the Conditions of Transactions. **The Greater the Index, the More the Manager is Personally Responsible. *** The Greater the Index, the Easier it Will Be For Shareholders to Take Legal Action.

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment: The Foreign Investment Law of the People's Republic of China implements a “pre-establishment national treatment” plus “negative list management” system for foreign investment. “Pre-establishment national treatment” refers to the treatment given to foreign investors and their investments with regard to market access, which may not be less favourable than that given to their domestic investors and their investments. The “negative list” refers to the special administrative measures for the access of foreign investment in specific fields, which will be issued or approved for issue by the State Council. The Law provides that the state grant national treatment to foreign investment that are not included in the negative list.
Acquisition of Holdings: The acquisition of majority interest in a local company is authorised in China. M&A activities are subject to different regulations depending on whether the company is a public, a non-listed public company or foreign.
Obligation to Declare: The China International Investment Promotion Agency facilitates the distribution of information on necessary authorisations for establishing a business in the country. All proposed foreign investment projects in China must be submitted for 'verification' and approval to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) or to provincial or local Development and Reform Commissions (depending on the sector and value of the investment.
Competent Organisation For the Declaration: National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
Requests For Specific Authorisations: Business plans must be submitted for approval to competent authorities prior to the beginning of business activity. If a foreign investor intends to establish a foreign-funded enterprise by merging a domestic enterprise in accordance with these provisions, he/she shall be subject to the approval of the “examination and approval organ” and modify the registration or go through the establishment registration in the “registration administrative organ”. “Examination and approval organ” refers to the Ministry of Commerce. The term “registration administrative organ” refers to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) or its authorized local administrations for industry and commerce. Chinese State-Owned Enterprises are often the targets of foreign investors. Although, it is important to note that additional rules apply to the purchase of State-Owned Enterprises by foreign investors in China. Greenfield investment projects must also seek approval from China's Environmental Protection Ministry and its Ministry of Land Resources.

Office Real Estate and Land Ownership

Possible Temporary Solutions: Rental and Business center.
The Possibility of Buying Land and Industrial and Commercial Buildings: Foreigners are allowed to buy their property only after having worked or studied in China for at least one year. They are only entitled to own one property in China and it must only be used for residential purposes. Commercial or industrial property can only be purchased after a company has been incorporated in China.
Risk of Expropriation: The risk of expropriation is high. Article 20 of the Foreign Investment Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that the government shall not expropriate investments made by foreign investors. Only in special circumstances (national security and obstacles to large civil engineering projects), the State may expropriate or requisition an investment made by foreign investors for public interest in accordance with the law. Such expropriation or requisition shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures of law and fair and reasonable compensation shall be given in a timely manner.

Investment Aid

Forms of Aid: Foreign investors enjoy corporate tax reductions, exemptions of tax on dividends repatriated during a certain period and other tax advantages. Moreover, foreign direct investment incentives include packages of reduced income taxes, resource and land use fees, and import/export duties, as well as priority treatment in obtaining basic infrastructure services, streamlined Government approvals, and funding support for start-ups. The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) can be contacted for any information concerning opportunities in China.
According to the Notice on Implementing the Policy of Inclusive Tax Relief for Small and Micro Enterprises, published by the Ministry of Finance in January 2019, China expanded existing preferential policies for small and low-profit enterprises. Companies with annual taxable income below RMB 1 million (US$147,290) per year can benefit from a preferential corporate income tax (CIT) rate of 20 per cent, they are only taxed on 25 per cent of their income, while the remaining 75 per cent is tax-free.
Privileged Domains: China encourages foreign investment primarily in high technology, clean energy and export-oriented sectors.
Privileged Geographical Zones: China's Economic Development Zones (EDZs) are areas with preferential trade policies which differ from those governing the country as a whole. EDZs provide a wide range of incentives for FDI, which vary according to the EDZ specification. Companies operating in EDZs can expect, among other incentives, a higher level of autonomy over their operations, a variety of tax exemptions, subsidies for land and buildings and preferential employment policies.
Free-trade zones: In China there are many special trade zones. These special zones provide exceptions to the standard customs procedures and allow tax exemptions or tax incentives to attract overseas investments. They are primarily the 5 special economic zones and the 14 coastal cities. The special zones are Shenzhen (at the border of Hong-Kong SAR), Zhuhaï (close to Macau SAR), Shantou, Xiamen (vis-à-vis Taiwan, China) and the island of Hainan. They were selected because they were completely under-developed.
The 14 coastal cities are Dalian (in the province of Liaonong), Shanghai, Ningbo, Wenzhou (in the province of Zhejiang), Fuzhou (in the province of Fujian), Guangzhou, Zhanjiang (in the province of Guangdong), Beihai (in the autonomous region of Guangxi Zhuang), Tianjin, Yantai, Qingdao (in the province of Shandong) and Lianyungang, Nantong (in the province of Jiangsu). For the past few years, other cities have also been regarded as coastal towns profiting from the same status. Unlike the 5 special zones, these cities were not underdeveloped, but key industrial centres in China. Overseas investment has facilitated improvements to the infrastructure and the creation of new, more advanced ones.

In August 2019, China announced that it will expand the Pilot Free Trade Zones (FTZs) to six new provinces across the country. These are Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Guanxi and Yunnan, bringing the total number of Chinese FTZs from 12 to 18.
Public aid and funding organisations: Invest in China - Investment Promotion Agency of Ministry of Commerce (CIPA) is engaged in Chinese investment promotion process and in charge of “Inviting in” (FDI in China) and “Going global” (outbound investment) two-way investment promotion work.

Investment Opportunities

The Key Sectors of the National Economy: Manufacturing sector, automobile industry, information and communication technology, aeronautics, energy (including nuclear energy), services, finance, building, tourism, health, agriculture, mining extraction, health, online sales (largest world market), transport infrastructure
High Potential Sectors: Chemical industry, insurance and bank, high technology, renewable energy, environment, waste treatment, franchises, medical devices.
Privatization Programmes: China, whose economy is mixed, has a high number of state-owned corporations. Many of these firms suffer from disadvantages such as over-indebtedness and low efficiency, among others. The Chinese state wants to open these firms to private capital. Partial privatisation of numerous Chinese state-owned enterprises has been discussed since 1993, without having led to deep changes in the Chinese economic landscape. Under the government of President Xi Jinping, the mixed-ownership reform, which injects private capital into state-owned enterprises, is being promoted. One example of a privatisation effort is that at the end of 2016, the state announced the end of its monopoly on salt production. To date the effort is progressing but is still subject to resistance.
Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: Tenders Tiger, Tenders in China
Tenders Info: Global Procurement Facilitator, Tenders in China
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide

Sectors Where Investment Opportunities Are Fewer

Monopolistic Sectors: The Negative List for Market Access (2020 chinese edition) refers to a list of prohibited or restricted industries for foreign investment. The new 2020 National Negative List aims to accelerate the process of further opening key areas in service industries. It has further relaxed foreign investment’s access to the manufacturing and agriculture sectors compared to the 2019 Negative List. The main restrictions are on the following sectors: Production and supply of electricity, heat, gas and water; Transportation, warehousing and postal industries; Information transmission, software and information technology services; leasing and business service; Scientific research and technical services. The 2022 list of industries that are either restricted or prohibited has been cut to 117, according to a document released by the National Development and Reform Commission, from 123 on the 2020 list.

Finding Assistance For Further Information

Investment Aid Agency: Invest in China (Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China)
Doing Business Guides: China Investment Guide (Deloitte)
Exporting to China (U.S. Department of Commerce)
Guides to doing business in mainland China (Hawksford China)
Doing business in China (Pinsent Masons)
Guide to Doing Business in China (Mayer Brown)
Doing business in China (Thomson Reuters Practical Law)
Extensive Guide on Doing Business in China (New Horizons Global Partners)

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