What’s China’s FTZ Negative List?

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China’s Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Negative List is a policy instrument that defines the sectors, activities, or business operations in which foreign investment is restricted or prohibited within Pilot Free Trade Zones. Under this framework, any sector not explicitly listed is generally open to foreign investment, subject to standard registration and compliance requirements.

 

The FTZ Negative List is primarily based on the national Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access in Pilot Free Trade Zones, while allowing for localized regulations. Each Pilot Free Trade Zone may issue its own negative list, tailored to local policy goals and pilot reform initiatives, provided it remains within the unified national framework.

 

In recent years, the concept has also been extended to cross‑border data flows and is currently being piloted in selected FTZs. These data-related negative lists are integrated with China’s broader data governance regime, including the Cybersecurity Law and the Data Security Law. These data‑related negative lists identify specific categories of data that are restricted from being transferred abroad, and form part of China’s evolving approach to data governance and national security.

 

To deepen your understanding, you may refer to the two earlier posts on China’s Negative List and access additional resources through the links provided below.

 

Shanghai Guide, 2026,  Beijing, 2026, Hunton, 2026, Beijing, China, 2026 China Briefing, 2026, LexChina, 2026, World Port, 2026, Linklaters, 2026, China Briefing 2, 2026, Tianjin, 2026, CAC, 2026,  Shanghai FTZ, 2026

 

 

 

#ChinaFTZ #NegativeList #DataGovernance #CrossBorderData #ChinaRegulations


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