China: Implementation of 2021 edition of Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access

On 1 January 2022, the State Council of China implemented the 2021 edition of the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (the 2021 Negative List). In relation to the digital economy, the 2021 Negative List sees no substantial changes compared with the 2020 Negative List. Specifically, it limits foreign investment in telecommunications services to services opened up as part of China's succession to the WTO. Furthermore, it caps the foreign share in value-added communications services at 50%, with the exception of e-commerce, domestic conferencing, store-and-forward, and call centre services. Also, additional foreign investment in internet news, information, video, audio, and cultural (with the exception of music) services that are not covered by China's WTO accession, is prohibited.