Chinese authorities are considering revising the country’s guidance catalogue for foreign investment, cutting the number of restrictive measures to 62 from the previous 93.

The National Development and Reform Commission, the countryÕs top economic planner, yesterday published a revision draft on its website to seek public opinion on the changes.

The easing rules on foreign investment came amid government efforts to push use of the Ònegative listÓ approach, which identifies sectors and businesses that are off limits or restricted for investment.

The Ònegative listÓ approach is a common practice adopted in many countries to manage foreign investment. China first piloted the rules in the Shanghai free trade zone in 2013.

Earlier official data showed foreign direct investment to the Chinese mainland rose 4.2 percent year on year to reach 666.3 billion yuan (US$97 billion) in the first 10 months of the year.