A number of opening-up measures have been implemented in Beijing to cover a full range of matters in the fields of culture, sports, and entertainment. These measures will make it easier and simpler to invest and do business in Beijing.
However, there are some investment requirements and restrictions that you should be aware of in advance.
I. In specific areas where cultural and recreational industries gather, establishment of foreign-owned performance brokerage agencies will be permitted to provide services within the administrative area of Beijing Municipality.
II. Foreign investment will be permitted in the production of audiovisual products (limited to cooperation within the Beijing National Music Industry Park, the China Beijing Publishing and Creative Industry Park, and the Beijing National Digital Publishing Base. Chinese investors shall control business operations and hold the right to final content review).
III. In specific areas where cultural and recreational industries gather, foreign investment will be allowed to establish performance venue operating institutions, with no restrictions on the percentage of foreign investment.
IV. In specific areas where cultural and recreational industries gather, foreign investment will be allowed to set up entertainment venues, with no restrictions on the percentage of foreign investment.
V. In specific cluster areas for the cultural and entertainment industries, foreign investors will be allowed to set up wholly-owned performance brokerage agencies providing services across China.
I. Investment in news organizations (including but not limited to news agencies) shall be prohibited.
II. Investment in the editing, publishing, and production of books, newspapers, periodicals, audiovisual recordings, and electronic publications shall be prohibited.
III. Investment in radio stations, television stations, radio and television channels (frequencies), and radio and television transmission coverage networks (transmitting stations, relay stations, radio and television satellites, satellite uplink stations, satellite receiving, relay stations, microwave stations, monitoring stations, and cable radio and television transmission coverage networks, and etc.) shall be prohibited, and engaging in radio and television video-on-demand services or installation services for ground receiving facilities for television broadcasting by satllite shall be prohibited.
Investment in a radio and television program production or operation (including import business) company shall be prohibited.
IV. Investment in a motion picture production company, distribution company, theater company, and motion picture import business shall be prohibited.
V. Investment in a cultural relics auction company, a cultural relics store, and a state -owned cultural relics museum shall be prohibited.
Investment within the FTZ: Investment shall be prohibited in auction companies engaged in cultural relic auctions, cultural artifact stores, and state-owned museums that house cultural relics. (The transfer, mortgage, and renting of immovable cultural relics and cultural relics which are prohibited from leaving the country to foreigners shall be prohibited. The establishment and operation of intangible cultural heritage investigation organizations shall be prohibited. Intangible cultural heritage surveys, as well as archaeological investigation, exploration, and excavation in China by overseas organizations or individuals, shall adopt the form of cooperation with Chinese organizations and be subject to special examination, approval, and licensing.)
VI. Investment in a performing arts group shall be prohibited.
Investment within the FTZ: Performing arts groups must be controlled by Chinese investors.