China outlines progress in high-quality trade & investment development

How will China advance trade & investment, and attract foreign capital during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030)? A press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Thursday outlined the country's latest progress and priorities.

Two-way investment advances as free trade zones deepen opening-up

China's outbound investment has continued to expand in an orderly manner, with non-financial and other sectors' outbound direct investment totaling $128.62 billion in the first nine months of 2026.

Free trade zones also reported strong growth. From January to August, China's 23 pilot free trade zones recorded 8 trillion yuan ($1.20 trillion) in imports and exports, while actual foreign investment reached 128.74 billion yuan, up 36.7% and 19.3% year-on-year, respectively.

Foreign investment shows signs of resilience as reinvestment grows

China's foreign investment inflows have shown signs of resilience. More than 47,000 foreign-invested enterprises were newly established in the first nine months of the year. Actual foreign capital utilized totaled 548.81 billion yuan, down 4.3% year-on-year, with the decline narrowing by 6.1 percentage points from the same period last year.

Foreign companies also showed greater willingness to reinvest their profits in China. Reinvestment reached 93.99 billion yuan, up 4.7% year-on-year, expanding 1.5 percentage points compared to the previous year. New reinvestment projects continued to emerge in high-tech sectors, including artificial intelligence and biomedicine.

Inbound spending gains momentum as China makes shopping easier for overseas visitors

The growing popularity of "China Haul" on overseas social media has offered a glimpse into China's consumer market and its appeal to international visitors. Alongside expanding visa-free access, China has introduced measures to make shopping more convenient for overseas travelers.

From January to August, sales eligible for departure tax refunds rose by about 60% year-on-year, while the number of travelers receiving refunds tripled. China is also stepping up efforts to promote its "Shopping in China" brand, expand the supply of quality goods and services, develop international consumption hubs and extend the reach of its tax refund scheme.

China seeks to strengthen three pillars of trade amid global uncertainty

China faces mounting external challenges amid uncertainty over global economic growth, trade barriers and shifts in global industrial and supply chains.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will seek to strengthen the three pillars of trade: goods, services and digital trade. It will also continue to expand high-standard opening-up, deepen two-way investment cooperation and strengthen international economic and trade ties.