China lowers barriers for foreign investments to boost economy
- China's National Development and Reform Commission revised its negative list, which now has 106 restricted industries for foreign investors.
- The changes aim to stimulate market vitality as China faces economic pressure from U.S. tariffs and a domestic debt crisis.
- This move reflects China's strategy to enhance its investment climate and counteract external economic challenges.
In April 2025, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) introduced a revised version of its negative list, aimed at easing restrictions for foreign investors in the world's second-largest economy. This update reflects ongoing efforts to counteract economic pressures stemming from U.S. tariffs and other domestic challenges, including sluggish consumer spending and a property sector crisis. As the country continues to navigate these economic difficulties, the new negative list reduces the number of industries that are off-limits to foreign investment from 117 to 106, highlighting China's commitment to enhancing market access. The revisions partially liberalize various sectors, encompassing television production, telecommunications, online information services for pharmaceuticals, and more.