China’s nationwide foreign investment negative list stands at 29 items in 2026, its shortest version ever, after manufacturing restrictions were fully removed. 中国2026年全国版外商投资准入负面清单已缩减至29条，为史上最短版本，制造业限制措施已全面取消。 The negative-list-plus-pre-establishment-national-treatment regime remains the default gateway for every foreign investor entering the Chinese market. “准入前国民待遇加负面清单”管理制度仍是每一位进入中国市场的外国投资者的默认准入通道。 All … China’s 2026 Foreign Investment Negative List: Structure, Scope and Market-Entry ImplicationsRead more
2026 Negative List for foreign investment: what changed
As of 2026, the operative negative list is still the 2024 edition (NDRC/MOFCOM Order No. 23, effective 1 November 2024), not a newer “2026 list” — screen your sector against it. 截至 2026 年，现行有效的负面清单仍是 2024 年版（发改委、商务部第 23 号令，2024 年 11 … 2026 Negative List for foreign investment: what changedRead more
China’s FTZ Upgrading Strategy: What the 2026 Provincial Plans Open (2026)
China is implementing the “FTC upgrading strategy”; Hunan published its implementation plan on 4 August 2026 with targets to 2030.中国正实施「自贸试验区提升战略」；湖南于 2026 年 8 月 4 日发布实施方案，目标至 2030 年。 The plans widen market access inside FTZs: foreign-owned vocational training, qualified foreign … China’s FTZ Upgrading Strategy: What the 2026 Provincial Plans Open (2026)Read more
Lingang & free trade zones playbook
China’s FTZs pilot openness before nationwide roll-out; the Lin-gang Special Area (announced 6 Aug 2019, Guofa [2019] No. 15) is explicitly built as a “special economic function zone” with a 119.5 sq km start-up area. 中国自贸区先行试点开放再向全国推广；临港新片区（2019 年 8 月 6 … Lingang & free trade zones playbookRead more
Foreign-Capital Facilitation Inside China’s FTZs in 2026
The 2025 edition of the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment added a net 205 encouraged items, focusing on advanced manufacturing, modern services, high-tech and energy conservation. 2025年版《鼓励外商投资产业目录》净增205条鼓励类条目，重点在先进制造、现代服务、高新技术与节能环保。 All manufacturing-sector foreign-investment market-access restrictions have been eliminated, shifting the openness … Foreign-Capital Facilitation Inside China’s FTZs in 2026Read more
Comprehensive Bonded Zones Get a 2026 Upgrade: 24 Measures for “Capacity and Quality”
On 14 April 2026 the State Council approved, and the General Office forwarded, the General Administration of Customs’ “Several Measures for Promoting the Capacity and Quality Upgrade of Comprehensive Bonded Zones” (国办函〔2026〕40号) — 24 reform measures, the first such top-level … Comprehensive Bonded Zones Get a 2026 Upgrade: 24 Measures for “Capacity and Quality”Read more
Hainan FTP Customs Closure and the 2026 FTZ Policy Rollout
Hainan FTP’s island-wide customs closure on 18 December 2025 rests on six supporting policies: the import-taxed goods catalogue, the goods-circulation tax policy, the prohibited/restricted list, the customs supervision measures, the processing-value-add tax-collection measures, and the “second-line” port management measures. 海南自贸港全岛封关运作（2025年12月18日）依托六项配套政策：进口征税商品目录、货物流通税收政策、禁限清单、海关监管办法、加工增值免关税税收征管办法、”二线口岸”运行管理办法。 … Hainan FTP Customs Closure and the 2026 FTZ Policy RolloutRead more
China Adds Its 23rd Free Trade Zone: Inner Mongolia and the 2026 FTZ Upgrade Strategy
On 9 April 2026 the State Council published the Overall Plan for the China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone, raising China’s FTZ count to 23 — the first new FTZ of the “15th Five-Year Plan” period. 2026年4月9日，国务院发布《中国（内蒙古）自由贸易试验区总体方案》，使中国自贸试验区总数增至23个——这是”十五五”时期设立的首个自贸试验区。 The Inner … China Adds Its 23rd Free Trade Zone: Inner Mongolia and the 2026 FTZ Upgrade StrategyRead more
Services sector opening: new pilots and CEPA upgrades
The 2026 “Stabilizing Foreign Investment” plan expands services-sector opening pilots to vocational training, vocational colleges and high-level STEM universities. 2026年”固稳促优”方案将服务业开放试点扩大至职业技能培训、职业院校与高水平理工农医类大学。 The Beijing Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Service Sector Opening will pilot digital-economy and healthcare modern-service measures. 北京国家服务业扩大开放综合示范区将先行先试数字经济、医药健康等现代服务业举措。 The CEPA … Services sector opening: new pilots and CEPA upgradesRead more
Stabilizing Foreign Investment Action Plan: 15 measures at a glance
On 16 June 2026, MOFCOM, NDRC and MOF issued the “Action Plan for Stabilizing and Improving Foreign Investment” (商资发〔2026〕97号), approved by the State Council, with measures rolling out from 1 July 2026. 2026年6月16日，商务部、国家发展改革委、财政部印发《利用外资固稳促优行动方案》（商资发〔2026〕97号），经国务院同意，相关举措自2026年7月1日起落地。 The plan sets out 15 measures across … Stabilizing Foreign Investment Action Plan: 15 measures at a glanceRead more