Xing Huina:

The floor is open for one last question.

The Beijing News:  

The alignment of the "two lists," namely those concerning foreign investments and market access, have long attracted widespread attention. The opinion has also outlined specific requirements for enhancing policy collaboration related to access of both domestic and foreign investments. How will these developments impact the alignment of the "two lists"? Will there be special arrangements regarding this issue for the Hainan FTP and pilot free trade zones (FTZs)? Thank you.

Li Fei:

Thank you for your questions. Regarding the first question, the negative list for market access is a part of national treatment and is applicable to all types of business entities both at home and abroad. The negative list for foreign investment access, on the other hand, pertains specifically to foreign investment management, and is exclusively applicable to overseas investors. Therefore, these two lists have been closely aligned through adjustments.

First, in terms of institutional design, it is specified that the negative list for foreign investment access should outline special management measures, including requirements on equity and senior management. Areas outside the list will be managed in accordance with the principle of equal treatment for both domestic and foreign investments. Both domestic and overseas investors are subject to the regulations of the market access negative list.

Second, in addressing specific issues, these "two lists" have been adjusted in a coordinated manner. Market access restrictions lifted for foreign investments have also been removed for domestic investments. Likewise, market access restrictions imposed on domestic investments will, in principle, also apply to foreign investments as well, provided they do not violate international agreements and commitments.

Third, in policy implementation, we uphold the principle of ensuring national treatment, continuing to eliminate and remove all kinds of barriers that hinder fair market access without reducing the market access opportunities of existing business entities. This approach aims to ensure that all business entities are guaranteed equal rights to market access in accordance with the law. The requirements outlined in the opinion not only further clarify and consolidate established existing practices, but also serve as significant institutional achievements that strengthen the alignment of the "two lists."

Regarding the second question, as the pacesetter of the nation's opening-up endeavor, FTZs and Hainan FTP witness a strong foundation of reform and development, as well as vibrant foreign investments. They are subject to a much shorter list of restrictions for foreign investment access, and they enjoy a higher-level of opening up. As for market access, based on the unified national list, Hainan FTP and other related regions will implement special measures with further relaxed market access requirements.

Moving forward, we will provide guidance to related regions and fully put the "two lists" into practice. We will also continue to improve services for foreign enterprises and strive to develop practices that are applicable to other regions, in a bid to create an accessible environment featuring efficiency and convenience for all types of businesses. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

Today's press conference is hereby concluded. Thank you to all four speakers and friends from the media. Goodbye everyone.

Translated and edited by Wang Yiming, Wang Qian, Liao Jiaxin, Liu Qiang, Yan Bin, Yuan Fang, Mi Xingang, Huang Shan, Yang Xi, Liu Sitong, Xu Kailin, Li Huiru, Zhang Lulu, Xu Xiaoxuan, Ma Yujia, Zhu Bochen, Zhou Jing, David Ball, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.