How Many Multinational Corporations Operate in China? (2024)

A substantial number of multinational corporations operate in China, both Western and otherwise. China is one of the world's fastest-growing economies, and its inhabitants make up almost 20% of the world's population. Since its adoption of free-market principles, China has become one of the world's most hyped investment locations.

Increasing numbers of large multinationals have a presence in the country and, despite some uncertainty related to the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, the trend is likely to continue in the years ahead. That's because, as an emerging market economy, China presents a promising opportunity to many companies and investors.

Key Takeaways

  • China is one of the world's largest economies and numerous multinational companies operate there.
  • Restaurant brands like KFC, McDonald's, and Starbucks have been expanding rapidly in China.
  • Some companies, such as AT&T and GE, have been in China for 20 or 30 years.
  • Walmart, Target, and other large retailers now have a presence in China.
  • Examples of large Chinese multinational companies include Lenovo, Huawei, and NIO.

Main Multinational Corporations Operating in China

Consider this: KFC now sells more chicken in China than in the United States. GM, along with its Chinese partners, sells close to 3 million vehicles in China each year. Cummins (CMI), the Indiana-based engine manufacturer, was selling roughly 40% of its products in China by 2019.

Indeed, American multinationals such as Yum! Brands (YUM), which owns Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell, have expanded rapidly in China. The number of Pizza Hut franchises more than doubled from 2009 to 2019. Meanwhile, as of 2020, McDonald's Corp. (MCD) operates more than 3,700 locations in China. Starbucks (SBUX) has been growing rapidly in the region and now has 5,000 stores in 200 cities in mainland China.

Western technology companies such as Apple (AAPL) have also seen enormous success in China. The country is now Apple's third-largest market (behind the U.S. and Europe) and accounts for 20% of its revenue. Intel (INTC), Dell Computer (DELL), and Texas Instruments (TXN) are among the other tech firms with footprints in China.

Retailers like Walmart (WMT), Trader Joe's, and Home Depot (HD) operate there. China is an important source of revenue for many multinational apparel companies like Nike (NKE), Gucci, and Abercrombie & Fitch as well. Other notable consumer goods companies with sales in China include Avon, Colgate-Palmolive, Tyson, Nabisco, Kellogg's, Danone, Conagra, and Tupperware. In the healthcare space, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Pfizer (PFE), and Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) are active in the region.

A large number of non-Western multinationals also operate in China. For example, the Japanese car manufacturers Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Subaru and the giant Korean multinationals Samsung, Hyundai, LG (Lucky Goldstar), and Kia have interests in the country.

Lastly, many Chinese multinationals are also growing rapidly. Examples include DJI Innovations, Haier, Lenovo, Huawei, Datang Telecom, and electric car-maker NIO. Lenovo is a good example of a healthy and significant Chinese multinational. Its operating income is over a billion dollars. DJI, which makes the Phantom series of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), has also seen rapid growth due to the exploding drone market.

How Many Multinational Corporations Operate in China? (2024)

FAQs

How Many Multinational Corporations Operate in China? ›

There are 219 MNCs headquartered in China, comprising one-tenth of all companies. China is the third most popular headquarter location of all companies analysed. Despite this, the number of US MNCs is more than triple that of China, highlighting the US's global economic dominance.

What multinational companies are operating in China? ›

China is an important source of revenue for many multinational apparel companies like Nike (NKE), Gucci, and Abercrombie & Fitch as well. Other notable consumer goods companies with sales in China include Avon, Colgate-Palmolive, Tyson, Nabisco, Kellogg's, Danone, Conagra, and Tupperware.

How many US corporations operate in China? ›

How many US companies operate in China? It is estimated that there are over 50,000 US companies that have operations in China.

How many big companies are in China? ›

In 2022, Fortune's Global 500 list of the world's largest corporations included 145 Chinese companies in total.

How many multinational corporations are there? ›

At the present time, there are some 60,000 MNCs worldwide, controlling more than 500,000 subsidiaries. They are responsible for half of international trade, especially due to the scale of intra-company trading (between subsidiaries of the same company).

What American companies are controlled by China? ›

American Companies You Didn't Know Were Owned By Chinese Investors
  • AMC. Popular cinema company AMC, short for American Multi-Cinema, has been around for over a century and is headquartered in Leawood, KS. ...
  • General Motors. ...
  • Spotify. ...
  • Snapchat. ...
  • Hilton Hotels. ...
  • General Electric Appliance Division. ...
  • 49 Comments.
Jan 12, 2021

Why are so many multinational companies expanding into China? ›

The Three Factors: Market Size, Culture, and Regulation.

China's size makes it seem appealing to companies trying to expand internationally. But, most don't realize that the landmass of China creates a population that is highly diversified, in economic status, consumer preferences, and outlets for selling.

How many US jobs are outsourced to China? ›

China is the single biggest offshoring destination for U.S.-based firms. Of the nearly 14 million workers employed by U.S. multinationals' affiliates in 2014, more workers (1.7 million, or 12% of the total) were employed in China than any other country (Figure 1).

Why do so many US companies manufacture in China? ›

Given the abundance of Chinese products in the marketplace, it's understandable consumers might wonder why so many goods are made in China. One of the reasons companies manufacture their products in China is because of the abundance of lower-wage workers available in the country.

Why do US companies do business in China? ›

The supply chain and infrastructure advantage has become one of the most important drivers for foreign companies relocate to China, when global supply chains were seriously disrupted due to the aggressive implementation of infection control measures.

What US companies have factories in China? ›

Household-name consumer brands like Starbucks, Nike and Under Armour have a large customer base in China. Tech and automobile giants like Intel, Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA), General Motors and Ford not only rely on Chinese consumers, but also have huge manufacturing networks in the country.

Which country have most companies in the world? ›

China, which had one of the world's fastest-growing economies in the past decades, is a country where many MNCs established operations. Additionally, China itself is the headquarters of many growing multinational corporations.

How many Fortune 500 companies are in China? ›

(ECNS) -- The Fortune Global 500 list for 2023, released Wednesday, revealed that 135 companies were from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, one less than the previous year, the first drop in 15 years.

What is the biggest multinational corporation? ›

This list comprises the world's largest companies by consolidated revenue, according to the Fortune Global 500 2023 rankings and other sources. American retail corporation Walmart has been the world's largest company by revenue since 2014. Walmart has been the world's largest company by revenue since 2014.

What are the 4 types of multinational corporations? ›

Multinational corporations can be categorized into four different types: decentralized multinational corporations, centralised global corporations, international companies, and transnational enterprises.

What is the richest multinational corporation? ›

The 100 largest companies in the world by market capitalization in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)
Ranking of the companies from 1 to 100Market capitalization in billion U.S. dollars
Apple (U.S.)2,746.21
Microsoft (U.S.)2,309.84
Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia)2,055.22
Alphabet (U.S.)1,340.53
9 more rows
Aug 30, 2023

What US companies outsource to China? ›

Overseas Manufacturing and Electronics
  • Apple. Apple's relationship with the Chinese manufacturing firm Foxconn is well known. ...
  • IBM. ...
  • Cisco Systems. ...
  • Nike. ...
  • Wal-Mart.

What international organizations is China in? ›

International Monetary Fund (IMF) International Olympic Committee (IOC) International Organization for Migration (IOM) International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

What big companies are based in China? ›

  • #1 PetroChina Co. Ltd. ( PCCYF)
  • #2 JD.com Inc. ( JD)
  • #3 Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China Ltd. ( PNGAY)
  • #4 China Construction Bank Corp. ( CICHY)
  • #5 Tencent Holdings Ltd. ( TCEHY)
  • #6 China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. ( CIHKY)
  • #7 BYD Co. Ltd. ( BYDDY)
  • #8 Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. ( ZIJMF)

Does Microsoft operate in China? ›

It sells over 70 products in the People's Republic and employs thousands of software engineers—many of whom work on cutting-edge innovations. Microsoft is not alone among U.S. tech companies in having a China presence, but it may be unique in the sensitivity and diversity of the work it funds.

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