Published by ChinaMNC · Yongjing
China’s 2026 Commerce Work Plan: Key Takeaways for Foreign Founders
China’s national commerce conference outlines 2026 priorities—boosting consumption, stabilizing trade, attracting foreign investment, and expanding opening-up. Here’s what foreign founders need to know.
China’s 2026 Commerce Priorities: What Foreign Founders Should Know
On January 10–11, 2026, China’s national commerce work conference was held in Beijing to review 2025 and “14th Five-Year Plan” achievements, set goals for the “15th Five-Year Plan,” and outline 2026 tasks. The meeting was chaired by Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce, with Li Chenggang, International Trade Representative and Vice Minister, presiding. For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, the conference signals several policy directions that could affect market access, investment, and trade in the year ahead.
2025 in Review: Stability and Progress
The conference noted that in 2025, under the leadership of the Party Central Committee, the commerce system pushed forward policies to achieve overall stable development with progress. Consumption stimulation showed results, foreign trade grew despite pressure, foreign investment structure improved, and outbound investment proceeded in an orderly manner. These outcomes contributed to the ongoing recovery of the economy.
Key areas of work in 2025 included:
- Consumption: Expanded trade-in programs for consumer goods, improved service consumption, created new consumption scenarios, and strengthened circulation and market systems.
- Foreign trade: Explored diversified markets, developed new trade drivers, and enhanced service and digital trade.
- Foreign investment: Continued building the “Invest in China” brand, advanced autonomous opening-up, and upgraded free trade pilot zones and other open platforms.
- Industrial and supply chain cooperation: Improved management and service systems, enhanced outbound investment quality, and promoted Belt and Road economic and trade cooperation.
- Multilateral and regional mechanisms: Advanced regional and bilateral trade and investment agreements and strengthened ties with economic partners.
- Development and security: Improved export control systems, managed trade frictions, and strengthened overseas interest protection.
“14th Five-Year Plan” Outcomes
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, consumption’s role as a main engine strengthened, the three pillars of a trade powerhouse were consolidated, foreign investment remained stable with better structure, outbound investment grew steadily, industrial and supply chain cooperation advanced, high-level opening-up accelerated, and bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation deepened. These achievements laid a solid foundation for the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
2026: Eight Key Tasks with Implications for Foreign Founders
2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The conference outlined eight priority areas. Below is a summary of each, with a focus on practical implications for foreign founders.
1. Stimulate Consumption and Build the “Buy in China” Brand
China will implement a special action to boost consumption, develop new service consumption growth points, optimize trade-in policies for consumer goods, and create an internationalized consumption environment. Digital, green, and health consumption will be promoted, and consumption vitality in lower-tier markets will be stimulated. For foreign founders in consumer goods or retail, these measures may expand market opportunities and improve the consumption environment.
2. Improve Market and Circulation Systems, Advance the Unified National Market
Efforts will strengthen institutional guarantees, optimize facilities, promote retail innovation, and improve the modern commercial circulation system. Pilot city construction will advance, and domestic and foreign trade integration will be deepened. This could simplify market entry and operations across regions for foreign-invested enterprises.
3. Innovate Trade and Launch the “Export China” Brand
China will upgrade goods trade, develop service trade, encourage service exports, and innovate digital and green trade. Trade and investment integration will be promoted. Foreign founders involved in trading or export-oriented activities may find new opportunities in these areas.
4. Attract Foreign Investment and Polish the “Invest in China” Brand
China will orderly expand autonomous opening-up in services, improve investment promotion, and enhance the foreign investment service and protection system. This signals continued efforts to attract foreign investment and improve the business environment for foreign-invested companies.
5. Align with High-Standard Rules and Build Open Highlands
The free trade pilot zone upgrading strategy will be fully implemented, and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the Hainan Free Trade Port will be further improved. Open platforms will be upgraded and key exhibitions held. Foreign founders may benefit from pilot zones and the Hainan FTP as testing grounds for new policies.
6. Manage Outbound Investment and Guide Supply Chain Layout
China will improve the overseas comprehensive service system, deepen Belt and Road economic and trade cooperation, develop Silk Road e-commerce, and strengthen supervision and risk prevention for overseas projects. While aimed at outbound investment, these measures may also affect supply chain integration for foreign-invested enterprises.
7. Deepen Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation
China will implement the four global initiatives, advance global economic governance reform, actively engage in multilateral trade cooperation, expand free trade area networks, and conduct bilateral economic and trade work. This could lead to more trade agreements and cooperation opportunities for foreign businesses.
8. Prevent Risks and Strengthen the Openness Safety Net
The foreign-related legal system will be improved, export control and security review mechanisms refined, trade risk prevention mechanisms strengthened, and supply chain resilience and security maintained. Foreign founders should stay informed about compliance requirements as these systems evolve.
What This Means for Foreign Founders
The conference reaffirms China’s commitment to attracting foreign investment, expanding opening-up, and improving the business environment. For foreign founders considering company registration or expansion in China, the 2026 priorities suggest a continued focus on:
- Market access: Autonomous opening-up in services and free trade pilot zones may offer new opportunities.
- Investment protection: Enhanced service systems for foreign investment could provide better support.
- Trade facilitation: Trade innovation and digital/green trade development may simplify cross-border operations.
- Compliance: Evolving export control and security review mechanisms require attention.
While the conference sets broad policy directions, specific implementation details will emerge in subsequent regulations and local measures. Foreign founders should monitor official announcements and seek professional advice for their specific situations.
Call to Action: For assistance with company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.