Foreign Investment in China: Right Time, Right Place
In the past few weeks, a host of foreign business leaders have visited China, sounding a clear message: confidence in country's future is surging. From Apple CEO Tim Cook's visit to the arrival of senior leaders from Qualcomm and Samsung, there is no doubt that foreign investment in China is not only ongoing, but accelerating.
This momentum reflects a growing consensus among global business leaders that investing in China is investing in the future. With its colossal market scale, rapidly evolving digital economy, and commitment to high-level openness, the country remains one of the world's most attractive destinations for foreign capital.
By the end of 2024, China had attracted nearly 1.24 million foreign-invested enterprises, with actual foreign investment totaling 20.6 trillion RMB. In just the first two months of 2025, over 7,500 new foreign-invested firms were established, up 5.8 percent year on year.
Beyond statistics lies a deeper truth — China's innovation ecosystem is becoming a magnetic force pulling global firms closer. Companies are no longer coming just to sell products; they are coming to co-create. BMW has launched its full-chain AI strategy in China, while Apple is scaling up its clean energy initiatives through a new fund. These moves reflect not just business expansion, but integration into China's innovation-driven transformation.
Indeed, technology is becoming China's most powerful attraction. From AI breakthroughs like DeepSeek to robotics pioneers like Unitree, China's sci-tech ecosystem is swiftly catching up by bringing in enormous potential. Mercedes-Benz Chairman Ola K?llenius recently noted that innovation in China is not only tailored for local needs, but also increasingly exported to the world.
Foreign companies are also responding to China's increasingly sophisticated consumer market. Brands under the American multinational fashion holding company Tapestry plan to open 100 new retail stores in China by the end of 2025. The blending of digital and physical commerce in China provides fertile ground for global players to test, adapt, and scale new models faster than anywhere else.
Meanwhile, the country's commitment to openness remains firm. The government has pledged to improve market access, protect intellectual property rights, and foster a world-class business environment. Forums like the China Development Forum and Boao Forum have become not just venues for discussion, but launchpads for new investment and collaboration.
As the world navigates an era of geopolitical uncertainty and technological disruption, China offers both stability and innovation. It's a country where one can find scale, talent and policy clarity — all in one place.
Looking ahead, China's role as a global innovation hub will only deepen. Its large consumer base, digital infrastructure, and ambition for green development make it indispensable in shaping the future global economy. In this pivotal moment, foreign investors have a unique opportunity not just to profit, but to participate in the next chapter of global growth.
To invest in China now is not just wise — it is visionary.