China's foreign direct investment continues to decline, with geopolitical conflicts cited as a contributing factor

Foreign direct investment into China fell by 4.3% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2026, reaching CNY 548.8 billion (USD 82.2 billion). This decline follows a 5.3% drop in the first eight months of the year. China's vice commerce ministry attributed the headwinds in attracting foreign capital to worsening geopolitical conflicts, weak growth momentum, and a rise in protectionist and unilateral measures.