Foreign investment in Taizhou posts robust growth in H1

Amid a challenging global trade environment, Taizhou has defied expectations with a rise in foreign investment, serving as a major catalyst for local economic expansion. In the first half of 2025, the city registered 63 new foreign-invested enterprises, reflecting a 21.1 percent increase compared to the previous year — the second-highest growth rate in Jiangsu province.

By the end of June, the city hosted a total of 1,756 foreign-invested enterprises, reflecting a 2 percent rise and ranking third in provincial growth.

In the first half of 2025, Xinghua distinguished itself among local jurisdictions by attracting 16 new foreign-invested enterprises, greatly surpassing last year's numbers. Most of the investment came from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, which made up 38 enterprises — accounting for 60.3 percent of the total. US investors contributed six enterprises.

By industry, most new foreign-invested firms focused on scientific research, technology services, and high-end manufacturing — sectors with higher added value.

A rendering of the premises of Huahui New Materials in Xinghua, Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]

Huahui New Materials, supported by Hong Kong capital, is a significant project. It specializes in stainless steel fine wires, and its self-developed superelastic microwires surpass Japanese and South Korean competitors in key performance metrics. The project, with a total investment of 1.2 billion yuan ($167.80 million), began construction in June.

To ensure smooth project advancement, local governments have extended their support from land and infrastructure to linking investors with local supply chains. Meanwhile, the Taizhou market regulation authority has continued to streamline registration procedures, cutting down the time for foreign companies to establish a business to just one day and further reducing startup costs.