15th Five-Year Plan: Foreign Investment Priorities (2026-2030)
Published: March 1, 2026
Executive Summary
China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), released in March 2026, positions foreign investment as a key lever for high-quality development. The plan introduces a strategic framework organized around three pillars: "Shop in China" (consumption), "Export to China" (trade upgrades), and "Invest in China" (investment promotion), signaling continued openness to foreign capital.
Key Points
"Shop in China" pillar: Focus on expanding domestic consumption and retail access for foreign brands
"Export to China" pillar: Trade facilitation upgrades targeting increased imports of high-quality foreign goods and services
"Invest in China" pillar: Comprehensive investment promotion including streamlined approvals and expanded sector access
Foreign investment explicitly positioned as a driver of high-quality development, technological upgrading, and green transition
Five-year horizon (2026-2030) provides regulatory predictability for long-term investment planning
Alignment with dual circulation strategy: foreign investment serves both domestic market development and global value chain integration