Hong Kong remains key gateway as China’s FDI rises 2.9 per cent in first nine months of 2019 despite protests

Foreign direct investment in China rose by 2.9 per cent to US$100.78 billion in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period last year as inflows from Hong Kong and Macau surged, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce released on Thursday.

In yuan terms, foreign direct investment rose 6.5 per cent to 683.21 billion yuan, the ministry said.

Investment from Hong Kong, which accounts for two thirds of China’s overall foreign direct investment inflows, increased by 8.1 per cent between January and September, showing the city’s role as the main gateway for investing into China remains intact despite the ongoing anti-government protests.

Investment flows from Macau rose by 51.4 per cent during the same nine month period.

In September alone, foreign direct investment in China rose 0.5 per cent to US$11.52 billion, while in yuan terms, it increased by 3.8 per cent to 79.18 billion yuan.

China has increased its efforts in recent months to attract foreign investment, with the State Council reaffirming its commitment to opening up its markets further and improving the domestic business environment for foreign companies during its weekly meeting on Wednesday.

Manufacturing foreign direct investment between January and September was 188.21 billion yuan, according to the Ministry of Commerce.