China’s State-Owned Enterprises: Continued Reform, Growth in 2022, and What to Expect in 2023

Key Takeaways

• China has concluded its most recent three-year plan for SOE reform, aimed mainly at modernizing SOEs, and is in the process of launching a new one focused on technology.
• SOEs’ contributions to GDP grew steadily in 2022, slightly outpacing private enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises but behind joint-stock companies.
• SOEs are expected to support government policy objectives like providing stable employment and supporting R&D for critical technologies despite efficiency concerns.