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China’s 2026 Commerce Priorities: Key Takeaways for Foreign Founders
China’s national commerce work conference outlined 2026 priorities including consumption, trade, foreign investment, and supply chain cooperation. Here’s what foreign founders need to know for company registration and operations.
China’s 2026 Commerce Agenda: A Guide for Foreign Founders
On January 10–11, China’s national commerce work conference was held in Beijing. The meeting reviewed 2025 and the 14th Five-Year Plan period, studied goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan, and set priorities for 2026. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao delivered the work report, and Li Chenggang, International Trade Representative and Vice Minister, chaired the meeting.
For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, the conference signals areas of policy focus that could affect market access, investment climate, and cross-border trade. Below is a practical summary of the key points.
2025 in Review: Stability and Progress
The conference noted that in 2025, despite challenges, China’s commerce development was generally stable and made progress. Specific achievements included:
- Consumption: Efforts to boost consumption showed results, including expanded trade-in programs for consumer goods and improved service consumption.
- Foreign trade: Trade grew under pressure, with diversification into new markets and development of new drivers such as services and digital trade.
- Foreign investment: The structure of utilized foreign investment improved, and the “Invest in China” brand was further promoted.
- Outbound investment: Outbound investment proceeded in an orderly manner, with improved quality of international cooperation.
2026 Priorities: Eight Areas of Focus
For 2026, the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the commerce system will focus on eight tasks. These are particularly relevant for foreign founders planning market entry or expansion.
1. Boosting Consumption
A special action plan will be implemented to boost consumption and build the “Buy in China” brand. Measures include cultivating new growth points in service consumption, optimizing trade-in policies for consumer goods, and creating an internationalized consumption environment. Digital, green, and health consumption will be developed, and consumption vitality in lower-tier markets will be stimulated.
2. Improving Market and Circulation Systems
China will advance the building of a unified national market. This involves strengthening institutional guarantees, optimizing facilities, promoting innovation in retail, and improving the modern commercial circulation system. Pilot city construction will be deepened, and the integration of domestic and foreign trade will be promoted.
3. Innovative Trade Development
The “Export to China” brand will be launched. The focus will be on upgrading goods trade, developing service trade (especially service exports), and innovating digital and green trade. Trade and investment integration will be encouraged.
4. Attracting Foreign Investment
China will shape new advantages in attracting foreign investment and polish the “Invest in China” brand. This includes orderly opening up of the service sector, improving investment promotion, and enhancing the foreign investment service and protection system.
5. Opening Up at a Higher Level
Aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules, China will intensify the building of open highlands. The pilot free trade zone upgrading strategy will be fully implemented, and the Hainan Free Trade Port’s trade and investment liberalization and facilitation will be further improved. Key expos and open platforms will be enhanced.
6. Outbound Investment Management
Management of outbound investment will be effectively implemented, guiding the rational and orderly cross-border layout of industrial and supply chains. A comprehensive overseas service system will be improved, and Belt and Road economic and trade cooperation will be deepened, including the development of Silk Road e-commerce. Supervision and risk prevention for overseas projects will be strengthened.
7. Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation
China will deepen multilateral and bilateral economic and trade cooperation. This includes implementing the four global initiatives, advancing global economic governance reform, expanding the free trade area network, and conducting bilateral economic and trade work.
8. Risk Prevention and Control
A safety net for opening up will be woven more tightly. This involves improving the foreign-related legal system, export control and security review mechanisms, and trade risk prevention mechanisms to maintain the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains.
What This Means for Foreign Founders
The conference underscores China’s continued emphasis on attracting foreign investment, improving the business environment, and expanding opening up. For foreign founders, several points stand out:
- Service sector opening: The orderly expansion of opening up in the service sector could create new opportunities in areas such as healthcare, education, and logistics.
- Free trade zones and Hainan: Enhanced openness in pilot free trade zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port may offer streamlined procedures and incentives for foreign-invested enterprises.
- Investment promotion: The “Invest in China” brand and improved investment promotion efforts suggest a more welcoming stance toward foreign investment.
- Trade facilitation: Focus on trade innovation and integration may simplify cross-border trade processes for foreign companies.
While the conference sets policy direction, specific implementation details will emerge in subsequent regulations and local measures. Foreign founders should monitor updates from MOFCOM and local commerce authorities.
Conclusion
China’s 2026 commerce priorities reflect a continued focus on consumption, trade, and investment. For foreign founders, understanding these signals can help in strategic planning and navigating the regulatory landscape.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.
For assistance with company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.