Sectoral and Country-Origin Dynamics of FDI in China in 1997-2020

Abstract

FDI flows in China have increased for decades, but the sectoral and country-origin distribution change over times. Chinese FDI inflows have experienced a shift from manufacturing to real estate and service sectors. A series of factors including labor cost increase, currency appreciation, overcapacity of production, domestic competition rise and US trade war cause negative effects on manufacturing FDI flows. However, rising purchasing power, consumer demand and market capacity create new opportunities for foreign business in China. The government makes efforts to nurture service trade as an engine of economic growth alongside trade in goods. Many incentive policies have been launched for numerous service industries. These are the push hand behind the rapid rise in service FDI. The neighboring countries or regions in Asia and free trade ports with taxation advantages contribute vast majority of the FDI in China. Hong Kong's status as the largest supplier of FDI to the mainland has become increasingly prominent over the past 20 years, partially due to so called “round-trip” FDI. Chinese economic diplomacy promotes regional integration in East and Southeast Asia, and creates conditions for the liberalization of intra-regional investment. Closer trade connections with European countries boost the EU investment in China over recent years. Our studies of FDI's structural changes in China can generate policy implications widely for the government, foreign companies and investors, as well as developing countries committed to FDI attraction.