'Zhāo shāng' literally combines 'zhāo' (to attract, to recruit) and 'shāng' (business, commerce), meaning 'to attract investment' or 'to solicit business'. It refers to the active efforts made by governments, cities, industrial parks, or companies to draw in domestic or foreign investors—often through policy incentives, infrastructure development, promotional events, or streamlined administrative procedures.

This term is commonly used in economic development contexts: city governments may launch 'zhāo shāng yǐn zī' (investment attraction) campaigns; economic zones publish 'zhāo shāng jiǎn zhāng' (investment guides); and officials are evaluated on their 'zhāo shāng chéng xiào' (investment attraction results). While it can appear as a noun ('the city’s zhāo shāng work'), its core function is verbal—it describes an ongoing, strategic activity aimed at boosting local economic growth through external capital and enterprise engagement.