China’s top economic planner will revise regulations governing outbound investment to broaden oversight and strengthen protections for investors operating overseas.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on Friday that the draft revisions expand the scope of coverage beyond companies and non-corporate entities—covered under rules enacted in 2018—to now include investments by individuals. The move follows new guidelines issued by the State Council in June to manage cross-border capital flows more closely.
The revisions introduce stricter reporting requirements for "major adverse events," including situations where foreign governments impose discriminatory measures, compel Chinese entities to transfer technology or data, or force the disposal of equity or assets. The NDRC said the changes aim to better safeguard investors’ rights and assets while mitigating risks such as political instability in host countries.
A preliminary reporting system will also be established for large-scale projects that could affect China’s diplomatic relations with other nations. The draft rules, published on Friday, are open for public comment until September 20.
The NDRC’s announcement reflects Beijing’s broader push to tighten control over outbound investment amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Existing regulations, introduced in 2018, were initially designed to manage risks in overseas ventures but have since been deemed insufficient amid evolving global conditions.
