Easing restrictions on foreign investments in China

In order to revive its severely-affected economy due to coronavirus, the Chinese government has decided to ease restrictions on foreign investments starting from 23 July 2020.

The country drew up a "negative list" involving the sectors prohibited for foreign investment.

From its date of publication, the list will be reduced to 33 regulated sectors compared to 40 initially. In the financial sector, a foreign company is allowed, since 1 January 2020, to hold 100% of the capital of a life insurance company and of a brokerage firm.

Until then, the participation of a foreign company could not exceed 50% of the capital of a life company.

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