Shenzhen has unveiled two new incentives to intensify support for multinational companies to establish high-end headquarters and foreign-invested R&D centers, signaling the city's focus on attracting quality foreign capital and strengthening industrial chain competitiveness.
An aerial view of the Houhai area of Nanshan District. File photo
These incentives are part of updated measures designed to further attract and utilize foreign investment, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The policy, which will remain effective for three years, comprises 22 measures across five key areas. It aims to advance high-level opening up and reinforce Shenzhen's position as an economically and internationally influential city and a modern international metropolis.
Under the new incentives, for regional headquarters of multinational companies — including China headquarters, Asia-Pacific headquarters, or global business division headquarters — recognized by Guangdong Province between 2025 and 2027, a one-time reward of up to 8 million yuan (US$1.1 million) will be granted if the newly added actual foreign capital in the previous year reaches US$10 million or more.
Foreign-invested R&D centers recognized by Shenzhen's foreign investment and technology authorities between 2025 and 2027 will qualify for a one-time reward of up to 1 million yuan each. If the center serves as a global R&D hub of a multinational corporation and its newly added actual foreign capital in the prior year exceeds US$10 million, an additional reward of up to 5 million yuan will be provided, bringing the total potential support to 6 million yuan. District-level governments may also introduce complementary policies.
The document encourages foreign investment in Shenzhen's advanced manufacturing, high-end equipment, next-generation information technology, and new materials. It also supports globally renowned manufacturers in setting up headquarters and R&D, design, and production operations in Shenzhen.
To create a better foreign business environment, the policy ensures foreign-invested enterprises' participation in government procurement and standard-setting, improves mechanisms for handling complaints filed by foreign investors, strengthens intellectual property protection, and reduces inspection hurdles related to foreign-invested companies.
Shenzhen will optimize services for foreign talent and provide visa facilitation for eligible foreign personnel.
As a leading global investment destination, Shenzhen continues to draw foreign capital. From January to October 2025, the city's actual utilized foreign capital reached 29.7 billion yuan, an increase of 8.4% year on year.
More than 10,000 new foreign-invested enterprises were established during the period, with notable companies such as DuPont (U.S.), JCDecaux (France), BP (U.K.), and Hexagon (Sweden) setting up or expanding their presence in Shenzhen.
