[CathayRe]

It depends on its strategic interest. ARM, AMD all have JV.

>Most industries are free and clear and don’t require JVs.

That is true only on paper. In reality they would still want a JV or some form of partnership. From Food Production, Restaurant Chains, to other part of the industries. If China wasn't desperate for Pork, ( Due to all sort of Pork disease ) they would not have allowed Danish Crown to operate independently after both have negotiate for years. You can try to register, but without some form of JV and somehow doing the "relationship" work for you. Nothing will get done.

[seanmcdirmid]

It has changed over time. China went from having a positive list to a negative list, and ya, local implementation often lags behind central government initiatives by a few years.