Beijing opens more sectors to foreign investment in 2025 list

China has reduced the number of industries restricted for foreign investment to 106 from 117 under its updated 2025 “negative list”, easing market access as the economy faces external pressures and weak domestic demand. The revised list, published by the National Development and Reform Commission, lowers entry barriers in sectors including television production, telecom services, pharmaceutical-related online services, and medical use of radioactive drugs. Local governments are encouraged to further liberalise access in logistics, freight forwarding, and vehicle rental. The move follows China’s pledge to dismantle investment barriers amid a sharp 27.1% decline in foreign direct investment in 2024. Areas such as drones and new tobacco products remain restricted.