High-tech FDI in China hits record 42.4% in first half

Summary

China's foreign direct investment (FDI) in actual use reached 402.14 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, with year-on-year growth recorded in May and June. The number of newly established foreign-funded enterprises rose 5.3 percent from a year earlier. High-tech industry accounted for a record 42.4 percent of total FDI.

BASF chairman Martin Brudermüller said stopping investment in China is equivalent to exiting half of the global market. Mercedes-Benz Group chairman Ola Källenius described China as the Champions League of the automotive industry. Amway China chairman Yu Fang said China has been its largest global market for 23 consecutive years.

Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji said foreign capital inflows exceed outflows and China remains a major global destination for cross-border investment.

Commentary

High-tech FDI accounting for over 42 percent of China's total in the first half signals a shift in global competitive priorities. For New Zealand SMEs reliant on trade, this is both an opportunity and a warning. On one hand, China's opening of high-end manufacturing and services creates entry points for NZ tech firms and professional service providers, for instance in agritech, environmental solutions or health foods, leveraging upgraded FTA provisions.

On the other hand, huge investments in autos and chemicals mean accelerating local substitution, intensifying price and technology competition for some NZ exports. Global supply chains are deepening around China; NZ SMEs must consider how to integrate into this ecosystem, rather than simply treating China as an end market. Cases like Amway's organic farm suggest deep localisation and R&D partnerships with foreign firms could open new pathways.

Keywords: foreign investment, China market, attracting foreign capital, high-tech industry, Ministry of Commerce, BASF, Mercedes-Benz, Amway, business environment, new quality productive forces

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

2025年上半年，中国实际使用外资4021.4亿元人民币，5、6月同比正增长，新设外资企业数量同比增长5.3%。高技术产业吸引外资占比42.4%创历史新高。巴斯夫集团董事会主席凯礼表示，停止在中国投资就等于退出全球市场一半。

梅赛德斯-奔驰集团董事会主席康林松称，中国是汽车行业的冠军联赛。安利中国董事长余放表示，中国已连续23年是其全球最大市场。商务部副部长凌激指出，外资进大于出，中国仍为全球主要跨境投资目的地。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

中国上半年高技术产业吸收外资占比突破42%，巴斯夫、奔驰等巨头加速在华布局，折射出全球竞争的新重心。对于依赖贸易的新西兰中小企业而言，这不仅是机遇，更是警示。一方面，中国高端制造业和服务业开放提速，为新西兰技术型企业和专业服务提供者创造了进入机会，例如在农业科技、环保解决方案或健康食品领域，可依托中新自贸协定升级后的便利化条款切入细分市场。

但另一方面，汽车、化工等行业的巨额投资意味着本土替代加速，新西兰部分出口商品可能面临更激烈的价格与技术竞争。全球供应链正在向中国深度聚合，NZ SME需思考如何嵌入这一生态，而非简单将中国视为终端市场。安利有机农场等案例表明，深度本土化与外企研发合作或成新路径。

关键词: 外资, 中国市场, 吸引外资, 高技术产业, 商务部, 巴斯夫, 梅赛德斯-奔驰, 安利, 营商环境, 新质生产力

Source: China.org.cn