In a recent initiative backed by the State Council, China is improving its mobile payment apps to appeal more to foreigners and the elderly. The goal is to simplify transactions and make services more accessible.
With physical cash usage on the decline, foreign visitors often encounter issues with online payments due to complex foreign exchange policies and language barriers. To combat this, China is developing more user-friendly applications, offering interfaces in multiple languages and clearer foreign exchange processes.
International tourists will soon be able to use platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay, even without a Chinese bank account. By streamlining the payment process for tourists, China hopes to stimulate its tourism sector and encourage global participation in its thriving e-commerce market.
These changes support China’s broader strategy to promote its digital economy and foster international financial inclusivity. The aim is to boost foreign interest in local commerce and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
China is focused on preserving foreign investment as part of its economic strategy. To attract overseas investors, the government plans to expand market access, encourage fair competition, and foster innovation. Protecting intellectual property is also a priority, as it’s seen as vital for promoting creativity and drawing high-quality foreign investments.
Additionally, China’s chief prosecutor’s office has launched an initiative to address concerns over its legal environment. This campaign intends to fight corruption, improve property rights protections, and use discretion when prosecuting business people. This legal reform seeks to create a fair and transparent business environment and eliminate corruption issues that have long hindered the country’s economy.
Despite these initiatives, data from 2023 reveals a contrast in investment trends, with a slight decrease in private sector investment and an increase in state sector investment. Foreign investors began exploring alternative markets, leading to a drop in foreign investment inflows, the lowest in three decades.
In response, China implemented regulatory reform and introduced liberalized policies to restore investor confidence. Although these measures were put in place, the real estate sector, usually popular amongst foreign investors, saw a downturn, with fewer major deals taking place.
This all aligns with analysts’ predictions of a cooling off in the Chinese economy due to trade tensions, global economic uncertainties, and ongoing regulatory amendments. For 2023, the overall economic forecast advises caution, focusing on enduring short-term difficulties for the sake of long-term benefits.
