中国进一步优化外商投资环境

China further optimizes the foreign investment environment

中国国务院在2023年7月25日发布了《关于进一步优化外商投资环境，加大吸引外商投资力度的意见》，旨在为外国投资者营造更加优化的投资环境，有效提振外商投资信心。

On July 25, 2023, the State Council of China issued the "Opinions on Further Optimizing the Investment Environment for Foreign Investors and Intensifying Efforts to Attract Foreign Investment", aiming to create a more optimized investment environment for foreign investors and effectively boost their confidence in foreign investment.

该政策包括六大方面共计24条政策措施，主要涉及提高利用外资质量、加大重点领域的外资引入力度、进一步扩大开放服务业、拓宽外资渠道、加大财税支持力度以及提高外商投资运营便利化和加强外商投资保护等方面。

The policy includes 24 policy measures in six major areas, mainly involving improving the quality of foreign investment utilization, increasing the introduction of foreign investment in key areas, further expanding the opening up of the service industry, broadening foreign investment channels, increasing fiscal and tax support, and improving the convenience of foreign investment operations and strengthening foreign investment protection.

在提高利用外资质量方面，政策支持外商投资在华设立研发中心，与国内企业合作，鼓励承接重大科研项目。在生物医药领域，加快新项目落地投产，鼓励和优化境外已上市药品在境内的临床试验及药品上市注册流程。

In terms of improving the quality of foreign investment utilization, the policy supports foreign investment in establishing R&D centers in China, cooperating with domestic enterprises, and encouraging the undertaking of major scientific research projects.In the field of bio-medicine, it accelerates the implementation of new projects, encourages and optimizes the clinical trials and drug registration process of overseas listed drugs in China.

在职业教育方面，国务院鼓励支持先进制造、现代服务、数字经济等领域外商投资企业与各类职业院校、培训机构开展职业教育和培训。在中国正逐步进入高龄少子化的形势下，提升劳动力的教育程度，可以转化“人口红利”为“人才红利”，为中国的经济发展注入强大动力。

In terms of vocational education, the State Council encourages and supports foreign-invested enterprises in advanced manufacturing, modern services, digital economy and other fields to carry out vocational education and training with various vocational schools and training institutions.In the context of China's gradual aging and declining fertility, improving the educational level of the workforce can transform the "demographic dividend" into a "talent dividend", injecting a strong driving force into China's economic development.

在进一步扩大开放服务业和拓宽外资渠道方面，加大服务业扩大开放综合试点示范先行先试力度。在增值电信领域，增加开放试点地区。鼓励促进外汇管理便利化，支持合格境外有限合伙人(QFLP)使用境外人民币直接开展境内投资，增加股权投资和创业投资份额转让试点地区。

In terms of further opening up the service industry and expanding foreign investment channels, we will increase the pilot and demonstration efforts of the comprehensive pilot program for expanding the opening up of the service industry.In the field of value-added telecommunications, we will increase the number of pilot areas for opening up.We will encourage and facilitate foreign exchange management, support qualified foreign limited partners (QFLP) to directly conduct domestic investment using overseas RMB, and increase the pilot areas for equity investment and venture capital share transfer.

在加大财税支持力度方面，政策对境内再投资方面暂不征收预提所得税；外籍个人享受住房补贴、语言训练费、子女教育费等津补贴免税优惠政策；各地区政府将得到支持，在法定权限范围内对符合条件的外商投资企业实施配套奖励措施，鼓励类外商投资项目进口设备免税。

In terms of increasing financial and tax support, the policy temporarily exempts domestic reinvestment from withholding income tax;foreign individuals enjoy preferential tax policies for housing subsidies, language training fees, and child education expenses;local governments will be supported to implement supporting incentives for qualified foreign-invested enterprises within their statutory authority, and encourage tax exemption for imported equipment in foreign-invested projects.

在提高外商投资运营便利化和加强外商投资保护方面，政策提出建立数据跨境流动绿色通道，高效开展数据出境安全评估，探索形成可自由流动的一般数据清单。此外，优化外籍人员入出境政策，为外籍员工申请永久居留提供便利，并提高该身份在公共交通、金融服务、医疗保障、互联网支付等场景应用便利度。同时保障外资企业平等依法参与政府采购活动及标准制定工作，不得通过限定品牌或以外资品牌为由排斥或歧视外商投资企业及其产品和服务。

In terms of improving the convenience of foreign investment operations and strengthening the protection of foreign investment, the policy proposes to establish a green channel for cross-border data flow, carry out efficient data exit security assessments, and explore the formation of a freely flowing general data list.In addition, optimize the entry and exit policies for foreign nationals, facilitate the application for permanent residence for foreign employees, and improve the convenience of this status in public transportation, financial services, medical security, Internet payment and other scenarios.At the same time, ensure that foreign-funded enterprises participate in government procurement activities and standard setting on an equal footing and in accordance with the law, and shall not exclude or discriminate against foreign-funded enterprises and their products and services by limiting brands or excluding foreign brands.

总体来看，《关于进一步优化外商投资环境》政策的出台将进一步优化外商投资环境，提振外商投资中国市场的信心。同时中国各地区也将积极响应政策号召，在各自的领域内实施具体的配套措施，为外商投资提供更加便利和友好的营商环境。

Overall, the introduction of the policy of "Further Optimizing the Foreign Investment Environment" will further optimize the foreign investment environment and boost the confidence of foreign investors in the Chinese market.At the same time, various regions in China will also actively respond to the policy call and implement specific supporting measures in their respective fields to provide a more convenient and friendly business environment for foreign investment.