Online Reporter
BEIJING. – China, beyond its “world’s factory” name, is willing to become a “market for the world,” with its super-large market set to provide broad opportunities for products and services from all countries, the Ministry of Commerce has said, shedding light on its plans to develop investment and trade ties in 2026.
At a press conference in Beijing yesterday, the ministry said that China will steadfastly advance its high-standard opening-up this year, and will continue to inject new impetus into the world economy through its own high-quality development.
In advancing high-standard opening-up, the commerce ministry has vowed to further optimise supportive policies for foreign investment in 2026, pledging efforts to provide equal treatment to foreign-invested enterprises in domestic consumption promotion initiatives, government procurement, and public bidding processes so as to promote foreign firms’ long-term development in the country.
Wang Ya, an official heading the foreign investment management department under the commerce ministry, said at the press conference that China will remain unwavering in expanding high-standard opening up as it seeks to foster new strengths in attracting foreign investment and enhance the “Invest in China” brand.
Wang said the ministry will expand market access and the opening-up of the services sector, including telecommunications, healthcare and education. It will also support foreign-funded enterprises in the services sector in expanding their value chains.
Efforts will also be made to strengthen services for foreign investors by fully implementing the national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, focusing on their concerns, continuously optimising services, and holding roundtable meetings for foreign-funded enterprises, Wang said.
China will closely align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, carry out more extensive institutional opening-up trials, and accelerate the implementation of pilot projects for expanding the opening up of the services sector, the official said.
According to the ministry, China will continue to promote free trade cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Pacific Island countries, and Central Asian and African countries in 2026. It will also accelerate negotiations on investment agreements, particularly agreements with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. – Xinhua
