China’s Inward Investment

One of the most important components in China’s economic reform programme has been the economy’s gradual opening to inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) and foreign invested enterprises (FIEs). While China has become more and more open to IFDI over time, it remains far more closed than most large economies. In recent years, we have seen the apparent contradictory trends toward developing what appears to be a more liberal legal environment for IFDI combined with highly publicized examples of pushback against FIEs in China. In order to understand China’s approach towards IFDI and FIEs, it is necessary to understand the historical background of IFDI and FIEs in China, the objective function that China applies to IFDI and FIEs, and the fact that the impact of IFDI and FIEs on China’s economy is often underestimated. These features will influence any investment treaties that might be reached with China and how they will be implemented. This chapter also provides a broad-brush perspective on China’s approach toward IFDI and FIEs. It then describes the results of novel method of estimating the economic benefits that IFDI and FIEs have brought to China. Finally, the chapter provides perspectives for those interested in the potential for the negotiation and implementation of investment agreements with China.