China

Economy & industry overview

China is the world's second-largest economy by nominal GDP and the largest by purchasing-power parity, with a 2024 nominal GDP of approximately USD 18.8 trillion. The economy is driven by manufacturing, technology, finance, energy, and a rapidly expanding services sector, with manufacturing and industry accounting for roughly 35–36% of GDP and services approximately 57–58%. China is the world's largest exporter and a major hub for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, steel, and petrochemicals. The government has undertaken structural reforms to shift growth toward domestic consumption and high-quality development, while managing headwinds from property-sector deleveraging and subdued consumer inflation. The Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange together constitute one of the largest equity markets globally.

Key sectors

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Macro

GDP nominal, USD	$18.80T
GDP growth real, annual	5.0%
Inflation annual	0.2%
Population people	1.41B
GDP per capita USD	$13,306
Market cap total listed, USD	$11.00T
Market cap / GDP	58.5%
Unemployment	5.1%
Listed companies	5,300
Exchange	Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)

Data year: 2024. Sources: National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS), World Bank, IMF World Economic Outlook, China-Briefing, Wikipedia – Economy of China, CEIC Data, Trading Economics, Straits Research – Top Chinese Companies by Market Cap, Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE).

Local exchange & access

Exchange	Shanghai Stock Exchange
Code	SSE
Website	www.sse.com.cn
Currency	CNY

Local broker access

Foreign investors can access China A-shares (Shanghai and Shenzhen) via the Stock Connect programmes (Shanghai-Hong Kong Connect, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect) through Hong Kong brokers, or through QFII/RQFII licensed institutions. US-based retail investors most commonly gain exposure through US-listed ETFs or via ADRs/NYSE/NASDAQ-listed Chinese companies. Direct account opening on mainland exchanges is generally not available to non-China-resident foreigners. Capital controls apply to cross-border fund movements.

Global brokers with foreign-market access

• Interactive Brokers — Direct access to 90+ markets worldwide, including many emerging exchanges.
• Saxo Bank — Multi-market access across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
• Charles Schwab (Global) — Foreign ordinary shares on select markets; US-listed ADRs and ETFs.
• Fidelity International Trading — International stock trading on a number of developed and emerging markets.

Listed for convenience only. Not a recommendation. Available markets, fees and onboarding rules differ by broker and by your country of residence.

Relocation & residency

Foreign-investor access

Foreign nationals relocating to China typically require a work visa (Z visa) or residence permit tied to employment, family, or recognised talent status. Long-term residence and permanent residence ('green card') approvals are limited. Mandarin language proficiency is highly beneficial for daily life. Major expatriate hubs include Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, which offer international schools and healthcare facilities.