Saudi investments in China surge 343.7% in early 2026

Saudi Arabian actual investments in China surged by 343.7% year-on-year during the first seven months of 2026, according to official data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. This growth significantly outpaced other major investors in the region, such as France (36.1%) and South Korea (15.8%), when accounting for investments through free ports.

While total foreign direct investment (FDI) in China saw a 6.2% decline to approximately 438.33 billion yuan ($64.63 billion), investment in high-tech sectors rose by 32.7%. This high-tech segment now accounts for 41.6% of the national total. Specific growth was noted in R&D and design services, which increased by 72.1%, and electronic equipment and communications manufacturing, which rose by 39.9%.

To stabilize and improve the use of foreign investment, China has implemented a 15-point action plan focused on market access, simplifying investment procedures, and enhancing services for foreign investors. A new catalog of encouraged industries, effective February 1, aims to direct capital toward advanced manufacturing, modern services, and green energy sectors.