Image Source: Yuanbao

AsianFin -- China's private equity market kicked off 2025 with a sharp pivot toward state-led priorities, as government-backed capital surged and early-stage funding accelerated—signaling Beijing's intensified effort to channel investment into strategically vital industries.

According to data from ZERONE by Zhizhong, institutional limited partners (LPs) across China made 1,596 investments in the first quarter—a modest 11% decline year-over-year. However, total committed capital soared 78% to 567.4 billion yuan ($78.2 billion), driven largely by a doubling of government contributions and increased activity from industrial players.

Government LPs contributed 418.8 billion yuan, a staggering 113% jump from the same period last year. These contributions accounted for nearly three-quarters of all institutional LP commitments nationwide—and 93% when state-owned entities are included. The third phase of China's flagship semiconductor vehicle, the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, alone committed 224 billion yuan, fueling funding rounds for top Beijing-based GPs including Hua Capital and SDIC Venture Capital.

Beijing dominated regional capital allocations, absorbing 52.4% of national funding thanks to its status as a hub for over 30 major state-backed funds. National guiding funds' total contributions rose 160% year-over-year to 225.3 billion yuan, as China prioritized investments in semiconductors, AI, and other strategic technologies.

Industrial LPs committed 70.3 billion yuan, up 41% year-over-year, with non-listed firms contributing the majority. Companies like Yunnan Baiyao and Zhejiang Jianlong launched dedicated funds targeting healthcare and new materials—highlighting a shift from financial speculation to strategic deployment across the industrial chain.

Meanwhile, funding from financial institutions contracted 39% to 50.5 billion yuan. Tighter regulations curtailed activity from banks' asset investment companies (AICs), while asset management companies (AMCs) like China Orient AMC bucked the trend, contributing nearly 23 billion yuan and dominating the financial LP space.

Beijing led regional capital inflows with 297.4 billion yuan, bolstered by the statistical centralization of nationally registered funds. Jiangsu (43.1 billion yuan) and Zhejiang (35.6 billion yuan) followed, fueled by demand from manufacturing hubs and the operational flexibility of provincial guiding funds.

China recorded 2,120 PE/VC transactions worth 114.9 billion yuan in Q1—down 5% in deal count and 53% in value year-over-year. However, 80% of activity focused on angel, Series A, and B rounds, reflecting a decisive shift toward early-stage investing. The change aligns with the "Nine National Guidelines" introduced in 2024, which encouraged local guiding funds to prioritize seed and early-stage projects.

Jiangsu led in transaction value (21.3 billion yuan), driven by EV-related investments, while Guangdong saw the highest deal volume, particularly in software and tech services. Notably, Gansu broke into the top five with a 9.7 billion yuan mega-deal in nickel-cobalt mining, reflecting concentrated national capital bets on resource security.

Three state-affiliated institutions—Guoyao Capital, Caijin Capital, and Chuanggu Capital—ranked among the top ten most active investors. Their mandates reflect a blend of industrial planning and market-driven execution, with heavy regional allocations and a clear focus on semiconductors, EVs, and other strategic sectors.

IPO activity remained subdued on China's A-share market, with 27 listings, down from 30 a year ago. However, policy shifts—such as the CSRC's March move to support high-growth, pre-profit tech firms—hint at a forthcoming revival.

In contrast, Hong Kong saw a mini IPO boom with 14 debuts, led by consumer names like Mixue Bingcheng. That beat the 12 IPOs from the same period last year and highlights the city's continued appeal for traditional sector listings.

Across sectors, electronic information, manufacturing, consumer, and healthcare led exit activity, each posting IPO penetration rates above 66%.

China recorded 518 M&A deals worth 237.4 billion yuan in Q1—a 19% drop in deal count but a 23% increase in total transaction value. Policy momentum is building: in March, the National Financial Regulatory Administration launched a pilot in 18 cities to relax M&A loan rules for tech companies, further accelerating consolidation.

Shanghai and Shenzhen are moving swiftly. In March, Shanghai launched a 50-billion-yuan state-owned M&A fund, while Shenzhen unveiled an M&A Fund Alliance to deepen capital coordination across industries.

The first quarter of 2025 confirms a decisive pivot in China's private equity playbook—from market-driven cycles to state-guided strategy. With national funds actively steering capital into critical technologies and early-stage ventures, LPs and GPs alike are adapting to a more policy-integrated investment environment.

Understanding this interplay between industrial policy, regional priorities, and capital behavior will be key to navigating China's evolving investment landscape.

Data in this report is sourced from ZERONE by Zhizhong, IT Juzi, and Zero2IPO Research. Variations may exist due to different statistical methodologies.

(Note: 1 USD equals about 7.25 yuan)