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Shenzhen is improving its international business environment to attract foreign companies. In January–February 2025, 1,388 new foreign-invested enterprises were set up, up 23.8%, and actual use of foreign capital rose 16% to 8.16 billion yuan. On April 3, about 90 representatives of foreign firms including Canon visited the city.
Overview
According to a Shenzhen Special Zone Daily report republished by China News Service on April 3, 2025, Shenzhen is improving its international business environment and stepping up efforts to attract foreign companies. In January–February 2025, 1,388 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in the city, up 23.8% year on year, while actual use of foreign capital rose 16% to 8.16 billion yuan.
On April 3, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) brought its "Local Visits" program for foreign enterprises to Shenzhen. About 90 representatives took part, from companies including Honeywell, Qualcomm, General Electric, the Bank of East Asia, IBM, Grundfos, RELX and Canon, as well as foreign chambers of commerce.
Background
According to the Shenzhen Municipal Commerce Bureau, 9,738 new foreign-invested enterprises were set up in Shenzhen in 2024, up 21.7% and the most among China's large and medium-sized cities. The city has set the goal of becoming a "global first-choice investment destination."
On the policy side, Shenzhen issued implementation measures to further attract and use foreign investment in May 2024, comprising 20 measures in five areas, and published detailed rules for its foreign investment incentive plan in January 2025. In March, it released 2025 work plans for a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment. The international plan focuses on strengthening the city's appeal to global resources and making it easier for companies to access them.
Key Points
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| New foreign-invested enterprises (Jan–Feb 2025) | 1,388 (+23.8%) |
| Actual use of foreign capital (same period) | 8.16 billion yuan (+16%) |
| New foreign-invested enterprises (2024) | 9,738 (+21.7%, first among large and medium-sized cities) |
| 2025 target | Actual use of foreign capital above 50 billion yuan |
- Recent projects: Singapore's DBS added 1.596 billion yuan to its stake in Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank, bringing its total above 8.8 billion yuan; a Siemens medical imaging unit committed more than 1 billion yuan to an R&D and manufacturing base in Nanshan District; and France's JCDecaux registered in Shenzhen less than 40 days after talks began
- New openings: a Valeo smart manufacturing center in Bao'an District, new Walmart, Costco and Galeries Lafayette stores, and Shell's first integrated solar, storage and ultra-fast charging station
- Further opening: the city plans to widen access in telecommunications, the internet, education, culture, healthcare, big data and artificial intelligence
- Simpler procedures: Shenzhen is exploring accepting applications even when minor documents are missing, to make company registration easier
Ye Wenge, deputy director of the Shenzhen Municipal Commerce Bureau, said the city would keep improving services and support for foreign companies, including easier registration and targeted delivery of policy information. The chief representative of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce's Shenzhen office said Shenzhen's business environment would play a key role in shaping the future of technology, trade and investment.
What It Means for Japan–Shenzhen Exchange
Canon took part in the visit as a Japanese company, which suggests that Shenzhen's investment promotion is also aimed at Japanese businesses. For Japanese companies already operating in Shenzhen, simpler registration and stronger incentives may improve the business environment, and for those considering entry, they are likely to be one factor in their decisions.
If sectors such as healthcare, artificial intelligence and big data open further, new opportunities may also emerge in areas that Japanese firms have so far found difficult to enter. However, the specific easing measures and conditions have yet to be announced, so it will be important to watch how the rules are applied in practice.
Shenzhen has also recently received delegations from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia, widening the range of countries and regions it is courting. For Japanese companies, the city's moves are drawing attention from the perspectives of both competition and cooperation.
Outlook
Shenzhen aims for actual use of foreign capital above 50 billion yuan in 2025, but the specific opening measures in each sector and the timing of the simplified application procedure have not yet been announced. Individual policies to be released and the pace of foreign companies setting up in the city will be points to watch.
From the Association
Policies on Shenzhen's investment environment are important information for Japanese companies. The Association will continue to follow related developments and to provide a platform where companies from Shenzhen and Japan can connect and deepen mutual understanding.
This article is based on publicly available information and is provided for reference only; accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed.