Published by ChinaMNC · Xihua

What China's 77th Anniversary Reception Signals for Foreign Founders

A ChinaMNC briefing on the September 30 anniversary reception at the Great Hall of the People and the policy signals foreign founders should note when registering and operating a company in China.

What Happened at the Reception

A reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held on the evening of September 30 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi Jinping attended and delivered an important speech. Premier Li Qiang presided over the reception, and Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended. About 800 Chinese and foreign guests gathered for the event, according to the official report carried by Xinhua News Agency.

For foreign founders, the value of such an event lies less in the ceremony itself and more in the policy direction stated in the speech. Below is a practical reading of what was said and how it may frame your planning for company registration and operations in China.

Economic Priorities Stated in the Speech

Xi said the economy has pushed ahead despite pressure, is moving toward new and better development, and has shown strong resilience and vitality. He described progress in party and state work during the year.

He set out several economic priorities for the period ahead:

• Steady progress as the general principle: Xi called for adhering to the general working tone of pursuing progress while maintaining stability.
• New development philosophy: He called for fully and accurately implementing the new development philosophy.
• New development pattern: He called for accelerating the construction of a new development pattern.
• Deeper reform and opening up: He said reform and opening up should be further deepened.
• Development and security together: He called for better coordinating development and security.
• Growth quality: He called for promoting sustained, new, better and favorable economic development.
• Livelihoods: He called for effectively safeguarding and improving people's livelihoods.
• Annual targets: He called for efforts to complete the year's targets and tasks and achieve a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Xi also said the 15th Five-Year Plan has been formulated and implemented, and that work in all areas has been solidly advanced.

Why These Signals Matter for Company Registration

Foreign founders often ask whether China remains open to foreign investment and whether the policy environment is stable enough to justify setting up a legal entity. The speech does not announce specific new measures for foreign investors, and it should not be read as a guarantee of any particular outcome. What it does provide is a statement of direction: continued emphasis on reform and opening up, on coordinating development with security, and on economic quality rather than speed alone.

In practice, that framing is relevant to decisions founders make early on, including:

• Entity choice: whether a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, a joint venture, or a representative office best fits your activity.
• Sector review: whether your business falls in a sector with restricted or encouraged status, which affects the registration path.
• Capital and scope: how registered capital and business scope should be drafted to match actual operations.
• Compliance planning: how data, tax, labor and cross-border payment obligations are mapped before launch.

None of these steps can be completed on the basis of a speech alone. They require checking the specific rules that apply to your sector, your city and your proposed activities.

The Longer-Term Frame

Xi said that over 77 years the party has united and led the people in sustained effort, producing two outcomes described as miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. He said the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been achieved, and that the country is advancing toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects. He expressed confidence in the prospects of Chinese modernization.

He also said that after long exploration and practice, the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics has shown great advantages, that the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity has continued to improve, and that the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable.

For founders, the practical takeaway is that policy continuity is presented as a central theme. That does not remove the need for due diligence, but it does support planning on a multi-year horizon rather than a short-term one.

Hong Kong, Macao and Cross-Strait Points

Xi said the policies of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, Macao people governing Macao, and a high degree of autonomy will be implemented unswervingly. He said Hong Kong and Macao should be supported in better integrating into and serving the overall development of the country and in maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.

He also called for deepening exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, resolutely striking at separatist forces, opposing external interference, promoting peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and advancing the cause of national reunification.

Founders using Hong Kong or Macao entities in their China structure should note that these regions are framed as part of the national development picture, which is relevant to how holding structures and regional operations are often organized.

Foreign Policy Language and the Business Climate

Xi said China will adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace, promote the implementation of the four global initiatives, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and inject more certainty and positive energy into a world of change and turbulence.

For foreign founders, language about certainty and stability is worth noting when assessing how China presents itself to international business. It remains general framing, not a specific commitment on market access, licensing timelines or tax treatment.

Who Attended

The reception was attended by Chinese and foreign guests, including members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, vice chairmen of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, vice premiers and state councilors of the State Council, the director of the National Supervisory Commission, the president of the Supreme People's Court, the procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, vice chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and retired comrades, as well as former members of the Central Military Commission.

Also present were officials from central party, government, military and mass organization departments and Beijing municipal officials, leaders of central committees of democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of personages without party affiliation, representatives of recipients of honors and awards in Beijing, representatives of national model workers and advanced figures, representatives of ethnic minority personages who have made important contributions to stability, development and unity in ethnic regions, representatives of Hong Kong and Macao personages, Taiwan compatriots, and overseas Chinese in Beijing, foreign diplomatic envoys in China, representatives of international organizations in China, and some foreign experts.

The presence of foreign envoys and foreign experts reflects the international dimension of the event, though it does not by itself change any regulatory requirement for foreign-invested enterprises.

Practical Next Steps for Founders

If you are considering registering a company in China, treat the speech as background context rather than a rulebook. The operative documents remain the applicable laws, sector catalogs, local registration rules and tax regulations. A sensible sequence is to confirm your business scope, check whether your sector is encouraged, restricted or prohibited, decide on entity type, prepare registration materials, and plan for post-registration compliance such as tax registration, invoicing, labor contracts and data handling.

Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.