China - February 21, 2025 China issues action plan to stabilize foreign investment in 2025 (Voice_over) State Council officials said on Thursday, the new action plan sends a strong signal that China is committed to further opening up its economy. The plan outlines expansions to pilot programs in key sectors like telecommunications, healthcare and education, and cuts to the list of industries banned, or restricted, from investing in China. (Sound_bite) Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce: "I would like to specifically point out that the action plan clearly requires all measures and policies to be implemented and effective by the end of 2025. This underscores the Chinese government's confidence and determination to maintain high-level opening up and attract more foreign investment." (Voice_over) Official data shows, by the end of last year, foreign investors had set up over 1.2 million businesses in China, with a value of 20.6 trillion yuan, or 2.8 trillion US dollars. Chinese government officials say foreign capital has brought funding, advanced technologies, and management experience to China. Providing a boost to local economies, increased tax revenues, creating jobs and higher living standards, while enriching the supply of goods and services. (Sound_bite) Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce: "Foreign investment has been a witness to, a contributor to, and a beneficiary of China's reform and opening-up. As China advances high-quality development to achieve Chinese modernization, attracting foreign investment will continue to play an important role." (Stand_up) Dai Kaiyi, Reporter: "State Council officials stress the 2025 action plan is focused on addressing the practical concerns of international enterprises investing in China, and that it is designed to create favorable conditions for foreign companies to invest in China and share in the country's growth opportunities." [Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]