On October 28, 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) issued the Catalogue of Industries for Encouraging Foreign Investment (2022 Version) (hereinafter referred to as “the Catalogue”). It will come into force on January 1, 2023.

NDRC and MOFCOM have taken the lead with soliciting opinions from relevant ministries, chambers of commerce, associations, and companies to develop the revised catalogues draft. And then earlier in May of 2022, the draft of the revised Catalogue was issued to call for public comments. The feedback accesses covered multiple channels such as NDRC or MOFCOM official website, email, regular mails etc. 

The Catalogue is an important national document for China’s foreign investment policies. It lists out all the sectors that encourage foreign investments in China. Its wide coverage ranges from fundamental sectors like agriculture, forestry, regular manufacturing etc., to up-to-date technologies like ICT, ICV and quantum-related sectors. The version of the Catalogue that’s currently in effect was issued in 2020. Economic status, however, as well as technical circumstances have changed over the last couple of years, especially with new technologies and the transition to smart technology for many sectors. 

For example, in the Catalogue of Industries for Encouraging Foreign Investment, following main sectors are listed: