On May 10, 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) issued a draft for the Catalogue of Industries for Encouraging Foreign Investment (2022 Version) (hereinafter referred to as “the Catalogue”) to call for public comments. The feedback accesses cover multiple channels such as NDRC or MOFCOM official website, email, regular mails etc., and the call-for-comment period will end on June 10, 2022. 

The Catalogue is a national document that 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. 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. 

For global stakeholders, the following takeaways are worth noting in this version of the Catalogue: