Over 30 Foreign Firms Attend Roundtable as Ministry of Commerce Signals Multiple Policy Shifts

The Ministry of Commerce convened a roundtable for foreign-invested enterprises on November 5 in Shanghai during the 8th China International Import Expo, chaired by Vice Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative Ling Ji. More than 30 foreign companies and representatives of foreign chambers of commerce in China participated, including Alfa Laval, ArcelorMittal, Merck and Intel.

Ling Ji observed that rising unilateralism and protectionism make a fair, just and rule‑based market a scarce global resource. He said China will persist in advancing high‑level opening, align proactively with international high‑standard economic and trade rules, continue to broaden market access in the services sector, promote key foreign investment projects, ensure foreign enterprises’ equal participation in government procurement, implement tax‑credit policies for reinvestment, strengthen intellectual‑property protections, and sustain a business environment that is market‑oriented, law‑based and internationalized.

Ministry data indicate that from January through September this year the number of newly established foreign‑invested enterprises in China rose 16.2% year‑on‑year to 48,921, while actual utilization of foreign capital reached ¥5.73 trillion.

At an October 24 press briefing explaining the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said that during the 15th Five‑Year Plan period China will lower market access thresholds on a “sooner rather than later, faster rather than slower” basis. Wang highlighted services as the next priority for liberalization, proposing expanded pilot programs in value‑added telecommunications, biotechnology and wholly foreign‑owned hospitals, and the orderly opening of education and cultural sectors.

In recent weeks Wang has held a series of meetings with multinational executives to underline China’s intent to attract foreign investment and further open its market. During an October 16 meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook he affirmed the government’s commitment to improving the business environment and welcomed increased investment by Apple. On October 21 he met with Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, reiterating the role of foreign enterprise roundtables in addressing operational concerns and supporting global supply‑chain stability.

Market commentators see this as a strategic shift from attracting foreign entrants to retaining and enabling their growth. Luo Zhiheng, Chief Economist at Yuekai Securities, told Jiemian News that the 14th Five‑Year Plan focused on whether foreign capital could enter China, while the 15th Five‑Year Plan emphasizes whether it can remain and develop. The plan’s call to “implement both market access and operational access” encapsulates that transition.

Practical measures beyond shortening the negative list will be necessary, Luo added. The objective is to deliver comprehensive national treatment, a transparent and stable institutional environment, and predictable rules so foreign firms can compete on equal footing with domestic companies in areas such as factor access, qualification recognition, bidding, and government procurement.

Recent statistics and corporate engagement reflect initial results of this approach. While liquidity and market dynamics remain uneven across sectors, the Ministry’s messaging and ministerial outreach aim to reinforce China’s attractiveness to foreign investors and to sharpen the country’s competitive positioning in global capital flows.