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China’s ‘15th Five-Year Plan’ for Commerce: What Foreign Founders Need to Know
A practical briefing for foreign founders on China’s commerce priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, drawn from an official State Council Information Office press conference with MOFCOM officials.
Why This Matters for Foreign Founders
China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has outlined its priorities for the “15th Five-Year Plan” period at a State Council Information Office press conference. For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, the briefing signals where market access, free trade agreements and foreign investment services are heading. Below is a practical summary of the facts presented by Vice Minister Jiang Chenghua and senior MOFCOM officials.
Baseline: What the 14th Five-Year Plan Period Delivered
According to the officials, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period China’s social consumer goods retail sales passed the RMB 40 trillion and then the RMB 50 trillion marks. Goods imports and exports exceeded USD 6 trillion, while services imports and exports surpassed USD 1 trillion. Foreign direct investment attracted over five years totaled more than USD 750 billion, and non-financial outbound direct investment over the same period exceeded USD 800 billion, spanning nearly 190 countries and regions.
2026 Year-to-Date Indicators
The officials reported that in the first three quarters of 2026, total retail sales of goods and services grew 2.6% year on year. Goods imports and exports rose 18.8%. Actual use of foreign capital was RMB 548.8 billion, with the stock of foreign investment described as stable. Non-financial outbound direct investment reached USD 101 billion. The officials also said that, following difficult negotiations, China-US and China-EU economic and trade relations remained broadly stable.
Four Priority Areas Under the 15th Five-Year Plan
1. Consumer Market Development
MOFCOM said it will focus on supply optimization, new consumption scenarios and facility improvements to unlock consumer potential. Officials noted that services consumption is growing faster, goods consumption is shifting toward higher quality and innovation, and new forms of consumption are emerging, while the domestic market still shows stronger supply than demand.
2. Higher-Quality Opening
China plans to expand autonomous opening in a steady and orderly manner, implement a free trade zone upgrading strategy, continue building the “Export to China” brand, and strengthen the “Invest in China” brand. MOFCOM also said it will improve the foreign investment service and support system and refine the management system for outbound investment cooperation.
3. Global Economic Governance
China will continue to support the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, deepen bilateral and regional trade cooperation, expand its network of high-standard free trade areas, and take part in rule-making for digital, green and artificial intelligence-related fields.
4. Risk Management and Security
MOFCOM will improve trade friction response mechanisms, make use of trade remedy investigations, refine export control and security review mechanisms, and improve laws and regulations on countering sanctions, interference and long-arm jurisdiction.
Free Trade Agreement Network: Practical Details
Since its first FTA with ASEAN in 2002, China has signed 26 free trade agreements with 33 countries and regions. These FTA partners account for 45% of China’s total foreign trade and 70% of attracted foreign investment.
- Quality: In 2026 China completed upgrading negotiations with Switzerland and signed an upgraded protocol with Georgia. Under the China-Switzerland upgrade, both sides will eventually apply zero tariffs to more than 99% of goods trade by value. The Switzerland upgrade includes new rules on digital trade, artificial intelligence and trade and sustainable development; the Georgia upgrade expands provisions on investment, e-commerce, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and technical barriers to trade.
- Coverage: China has signed a common development economic partnership framework agreement with 40 African countries, an enhanced economic partnership framework agreement with 8 Pacific island countries, and early harvest arrangements with Congo, Kenya and Seychelles.
- Utilization: In the first three quarters of 2026, China’s imports and exports with FTA partners reached RMB 19.55 trillion, up 30%, contributing more than 70% of foreign trade growth.
Next steps cited by MOFCOM include bringing the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 and the China-Peru FTA upgrade protocol into force as early as possible, advancing negotiations or upgrades with South Korea, New Zealand and Central Asian countries, and seeking progress on RCEP expansion and upgrading.
Inbound Consumption and the ‘China Haul’ Trend
Asked about the “China Haul” trend on overseas social media, Yang Mu, Director-General of the Department of Market Operation and Consumption Promotion, said inbound consumption is shifting beyond traditional products such as tea and silk toward technology products, Chinese-style fashion, wellness products, beauty and trendy toys. This is relevant for founders in consumer goods, retail and tourism-facing services assessing demand from inbound shoppers.
What Founders Should Watch
- FTA utilization: If you source from or export to FTA partners, check whether your products qualify for preferential tariffs and use official training and support channels.
- Investment services: MOFCOM’s stated focus on the “Invest in China” brand and foreign investment service systems may affect how local authorities support registration and operations.
- Sector signals: Consumer policy is emphasizing services consumption, new scenarios and upgraded facilities.
- Compliance: Export control, security review and trade remedy mechanisms are being refined, so monitor regulatory developments in your sector.
Next Step
Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.