No foreign investment
Activities that cannot be foreign-owned.
China Law Key Words · FDI and National Security Review
Foreign Investment Negative List
Author China Legal Portal Editorial · Editorial policy · AI content policy · Disclaimer · Not legal advice — confirm current rules with counsel and authorities
Keyword hub for the foreign investment negative list—what is prohibited or restricted, and how that drives WFOE vs JV design.
Last reviewed 21 August 2026
The rule in 60 seconds
Start with the rule, then map it to your situation
This briefing separates the core issue from the next research and counsel steps.
Conditions
Chinese control, licences, or JV requirements.
Key distinction: This is general orientation. Company type, documents, location and timing can change the analysis.
Which situation are you in?
Start with the event, then test the rule
Scenario 01
No foreign investment
Activities that cannot be foreign-owned.
Next review: Open the related guides and confirm how this issue presents in your documents.
Scenario 02
Conditions
Chinese control, licences, or JV requirements.
Next review: Open the related guides and confirm how this issue presents in your documents.
Scenario 03
Not the same list
Encouraged catalogues are incentive tools, not access free passes.
Next review: Open the related guides and confirm how this issue presents in your documents.
Scenario 04
Business scope drafting
Licensing and banking questions follow the words you register.
Next review: Open the related guides and confirm how this issue presents in your documents.
Key steps
A simple sequence for this topic
01
Map every activity line
Not only the brand story.
02
Check national + FTZ lists
Where relevant.
03
Design ownership %
If restricted.
04
Draft business scope tightly
Avoid future amendments under pressure.
Review checklist
What to check before you choose the next step
Map every activity line
Not only the brand story.
Check national + FTZ lists
Where relevant.
Design ownership %
If restricted.
Draft business scope tightly
Avoid future amendments under pressure.
Sequence licences
Before sales start.
Why this matters
The issue usually reaches beyond a single filing
No foreign investment
Activities that cannot be foreign-owned.
Conditions
Chinese control, licences, or JV requirements.
Not the same list
Encouraged catalogues are incentive tools, not access free passes.
Business scope drafting
Licensing and banking questions follow the words you register.
Recommended reading path
Move from the rule to the right depth of guidance
Common situations
Recognise the issue before you choose the response
No foreign investment
Activities that cannot be foreign-owned.
Conditions
Chinese control, licences, or JV requirements.
Not the same list
Encouraged catalogues are incentive tools, not access free passes.
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers commonly need answered next
Does a shorter list mean free entry?
Fewer restrictions help, but licences, NSR, and sector rules still apply.
Parent?
FDI/NSR hub.
Guides & articles
Practical writing from counsel and the portal editorial team on this topic
When the next step needs advice
Turn the legal issue into an actionable company plan.
Use the directory to find relevant counsel or ask a focused question through China Legal Portal.