AI infographic: High-tech sectors become key focus for FDI in China

（AI-assisted Creation）

High-tech and high-value-added industries have increasingly become a key focus for foreign investors in China, with their share of total foreign direct investment (FDI) in actual use continuing to rise, according to a report released on Sept. 9, 2026.

The report, issued on the sidelines of the 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, showed that high-tech sectors accounted for about 32 percent of total FDI in actual use in 2025, while the scientific research and technical services sector alone contributed nearly one-fifth of the total.

Multinational corporations are accelerating the establishment of R&D centers in China, positioning the country as a vital node in their global innovation networks, the report said.

In 2025, the scientific research and technical services sector saw 14,000 newly established foreign-invested enterprises, an increase of 27.2 percent year on year. Its share of total FDI in actual use has posted steady growth for seven consecutive years.

Despite a challenging global economic landscape, China's foreign investment inflows have shown strong resilience. In 2025, the country registered 70,392 newly established foreign-invested firms, hitting a record high with a year-on-year growth of 19.1 percent.

In the first half of 2026, the number of new foreign-invested enterprises rose 5.3 percent from a year earlier, with FDI in actual use reaching 402.14 billion yuan (about 59.34 billion U.S. dollars).

The report also noted a notable diversification in investment sources, with Belt and Road partner countries becoming a major driver of foreign capital inflows into China.