Published by ChinaMNC · Dabu
Guangdong’s 2026 Global Investment Promotion Conference: What Foreign Founders Need to Know
Guangdong will host the 2026 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Global Investment Promotion Conference on November 3 in Guangzhou. Foreign founders can use the event to understand investment trends, find partners, and navigate China’s business environment. This article summarizes key facts from the official announcement.
Event Overview
The 2026 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Global Investment Promotion Conference will be held on November 3 in Guangzhou, according to a press conference held on October 28. The event is jointly organized by the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. As of October 27, 254 companies from the Fortune Global 500, China 500, and industry-leading enterprises have confirmed attendance.
Foreign Investment Trends in Guangdong
From January to September this year, Guangdong’s actual utilized foreign investment reached RMB 89.17 billion, up 14.1% year-on-year—the fastest growth among major foreign-invested provinces. Investment from APEC member economies grew rapidly, with RMB 71.54 billion absorbed, an increase of 13.7%. These figures indicate strong momentum for foreign businesses considering setting up or expanding in Guangdong.
Track Record of the Conference
Since the first conference in 2022, the three regions have jointly hosted the event for five consecutive years. The first four editions signed a total of 5,718 projects with contracted investment exceeding RMB 9 trillion. Currently, the overall start-up rate of these projects exceeds 90%. Notable projects that have landed include CNOOC and Shell, China Resources Microelectronics Southern Headquarters, Taiwan Union Technology, Carlsberg, ZF, Siemens Healthineers, and SK Chemicals. These projects have helped extend strategic emerging industries such as biomedicine, green petrochemicals, new energy, advanced materials, electronic information, and automobiles toward higher value chains.
The conference has also attracted 539 Fortune Global 500 companies (cumulative instances) and 243 senior executives at or above the vice-president level for China. Its role in gathering global resources and facilitating project implementation continues to grow.
Focus for 2026
This year marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The conference will continue the theme “Invest in the Greater Bay Area, Create a Better Future” and align with the strategic positioning of “one point, two places.” It aims to seize opportunities from the APEC “China Year” and strengthen investment and trade cooperation with developed countries such as Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea, as well as emerging markets in the Middle East and ASEAN. The event will promote coordinated development of manufacturing and services, bringing more global capital, quality projects, emerging industries, and high-level talent to the Greater Bay Area.
Format and Activities
The conference will again combine a main venue event, investment activities in Pearl River Delta cities, and domestic and overseas roadshows and inspections. The focus will be on industrial relocation and project matchmaking. The main conference on November 3 will include a review of past conferences, investment sharing by multinational corporations, the launch of an AI-powered investment promotion model for Guangdong, and the release of a list of major signed projects. Before and after the main event, participating companies will be organized to conduct on-site inspections in relevant cities. The nine Pearl River Delta cities will host supporting investment events, and 10 industry-specific sessions will be held in key fields such as biomedicine, high-end medical devices, semiconductor optical communications, big data, artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, and new mechatronics.
“These arrangements focus more on project matchmaking, scenario opening, and implementation,” said Zhu Xiaojun, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce. “We aim to help participating companies see projects, find scenarios, and connect with partners.”
Practical Guidance for Foreign Founders
For foreign founders considering registering a company or operating in China, the conference offers a platform to gain insights and build connections. Here are key takeaways:
- Understand the investment landscape: Use the disclosed figures to assess growth trends and sector opportunities. The strong performance of APEC economies in Guangdong may indicate a welcoming environment for businesses from these regions.
- Leverage the event for networking: With 254 leading companies confirmed, the conference provides opportunities to meet potential partners, suppliers, and investors. The industry-specific sessions can help founders explore niche sectors.
- Explore project implementation: The high start-up rate of previously signed projects suggests that commitments translate into action. Founders can learn from the experiences of companies like Carlsberg, ZF, and Siemens Healthineers that have established operations.
- Tap into emerging industries: The focus on biomedicine, new energy, advanced materials, and AI aligns with China’s strategic priorities. Founders in these fields may find supportive policies and resources.
- Engage with local governments: The involvement of Pearl River Delta cities and on-site inspections offer direct access to local officials and industrial parks, which can ease the setup process.
While the conference is not a direct service for company registration, it serves as a gateway to understand the business environment and connect with key stakeholders. Foreign founders should prepare by researching the sectors of interest, identifying potential partners, and understanding basic regulatory requirements for foreign investment in China.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.