China has streamlined its market access regulations by releasing a revised 'negative list' with fewer restrictions, signaling renewed efforts to attract investment and stimulate economic growth. The updated list, which outlines sectors closed to investors, now prohibits 106 business activities—down from 117 in 2022—with telecom services and manufacturing among key industries seeing relaxed entry rules.
Since its 2018 launch, the list has been revised five times, reducing restricted items by 30% overall. Analysts view this as part of Beijing's broader strategy to enhance competitiveness and foster innovation. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, emphasized that the move 'strengthens global confidence in China's reform trajectory while creating balanced opportunities for domestic and overseas enterprises.'
The adjustment aligns with recent measures to stabilize foreign investment amid shifting global supply chains. Market observers anticipate increased activity in high-tech manufacturing and digital infrastructure projects, particularly in the Greater Bay Area and Yangtze River Delta regions.
