According to a report in China Daily on February 6, 2026
Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in northwest China recorded a notable acceleration in foreign investment activity in 2025, signaling stronger market confidence in the region’s opening-up agenda, according to data released by the regional department of commerce.
The number of newly established foreign-funded enterprises in Xinjiang rose by 21.97 percent year on year, while actual foreign capital utilization increased by 9.8 percent, underscoring a dual expansion in both market participation and capital inflows.
Officials attributed the growth to a package of targeted measures aimed at stabilizing and expanding foreign investment. Key initiatives included incentives for foreign companies to establish R&D centers within the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, as well as efforts to align the region’s business environment with market-oriented, rules-based and internationally compatible standards.
Xinjiang has also stepped up its international investment promotion efforts. In 2025, the region leveraged global platforms to deepen engagement with multinational companies and hosted its first live-streamed investment promotion event, reaching overseas investors directly and projecting an image of openness and inclusiveness.
Beyond promotion, local authorities adopted a more business-needs-driven approach to foreign-invested enterprises. Measures included proactive outreach to understand operational challenges, regular government–business roundtables, and on-site visits to ensure policy incentives were delivered effectively. These steps have helped reinforce foreign firms’ confidence in maintaining and expanding their presence in the region, officials said.
Foreign trade performance provided further support for the investment momentum. Xinjiang’s total foreign trade value increased 19.9 percent year on year in 2025, ranking first nationwide in terms of growth rate among provincial-level regions, according to Li Xuan, deputy director of the regional commerce department.
The region’s opening-up framework is anchored by a multi-level platform system, led by the Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone and complemented by national economic and technological development zones, cross-border economic cooperation zones, and comprehensive bonded zones. Together, these platforms are designed to facilitate deeper integration with regional and global markets.