2025.04.2405:21:04UTC+00China Reduces Negative List to 106 Items

China has unveiled a revised "negative list," reducing the number of industries restricted to foreign investors from 117 to 106, with the objective of facilitating market entry and invigorating economic activity. Originally introduced in 2018, this list specifies sectors where foreign investment is either limited or banned. According to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Thursday, the 2025 update is designed to "lower the entry threshold and trigger market vitality." This adjustment comes at a time when Beijing contends with increased economic pressure due to tepid domestic demand, a debt crisis affecting the property sector, and the looming threat of new tariffs from the United States. Partial liberalization has been extended to cover areas such as TV production, telecommunications services, online pharmaceutical information, utilization of radioactive drugs in healthcare, and the import of forest seeds. Furthermore, local governments are encouraged to broaden access in sectors like transportation, logistics, freight forwarding, and vehicle rental services.