Issue 100

Shanghai Weekly Bulletin

No.1,July 2025

Shanghai Weekly Bulletin has reached its 100th issue! We extend our sincere gratitude to every reader for your companionship and support. Your attention and feedback inspire us to keep moving forward. Looking ahead, we will stay true to our original mission and continue delivering more authoritative information to our valued readers. Let us join hands and embrace the future together.

 

Laws and Regulations

 

【National】

1.Amended Anti-Unfair Competition Law Adopted

【Keywords: Anti-Unfair Competition Law】

 

On June 27, the 16th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) adopted the newly revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law. The amended law is scheduled to take effect on October 15, 2025.

Source:NPC Website

http://www.npc.gov.cn/npc/c2/c30834/202506/t20250627_446247.html

 

2.China-Azerbaijan Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement to Take Effect Soon

【Keyword: Azerbaijan】

 

The Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Ordinary Passports will come into effect on July 16, 2025. Under the agreement, holders of valid ordinary passports from either country will be exempt from visa requirements when entering, exiting, or transiting through the other country. Each visa-free stay must not exceed 30 days per visit, with a cumulative visa-free stay of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

Source:Consular Express

 

3.CAC Releases Guidelines for Security Assessment Declaration for Cross-border Data Transfer (Third Edition)

【Keyword: Cross-border data transfer】

 

On June 27, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued the Guidelines for Security Assessment Declaration for Cross-border Data Transfer (Third Edition). The document clarifies the required materials for security assessment declaration, the online submission process, and conditions for extending the validity period of assessment results.

Source:CAC

https://www.cac.gov.cn/2025-06/27/c_1752652339765002.htm

 

4.Regulations on Tax-related Information Reporting by Internet Platform Enterprises Comes into Effect

【Keywords: Internet platforms, Tax information】

 

The Regulations on Tax-related Information Reporting by Internet Platform Enterprises was recently approved and released at the 61st Executive Meeting of the State Council. According to the regulations, internet platform enterprises are required to report specific information to their competent tax authorities within 30 days from the commencement of their business operations. The information to be submitted includes platform domain names, types of business activities, and the unified social credit codes and names of relevant operating entities.

Source:State Taxation Administration

https://fgk.chinatax.gov.cn/zcfgk/c100010/c5241238/content.html

 

5.Six Authorities Unveil 19 Measures to Strengthen Financial Support for Consumption

【Keywords: Financial support】

 

The People’s Bank of China, together with five other central government departments, recently issued the Guiding Opinions on Strengthening Financial Support to Boost and Expand Consumption. The document outlines 19 key measures across six major areas: enhancing consumer purchasing power, expanding financial offerings for consumption, unlocking household consumption potential, improving the efficiency of consumption supply, optimizing the consumption environment, and strengthening policy support.

Source:People’s Bank of China

 

6.China Launches One-stop Platform for Cross-border Mail Services

【Keywords: Cross-border mail】

 

The General Administration of Customs recently issued the Announcement on the Launch of the One-stop Platform for Cross-border Mail Services. According to the announcement, recipients and senders of cross-border postal items will be able to check the customs clearance status of their shipments via the platform, and access policy guidelines and support tools provided by the platform. The announcement takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Source:Customs Release

 

【Shanghai】

 

1.Shanghai Introduces Nine Measures to Boost Neighborhood Commercial Vitality

【Keywords: Neighborhood, Commerce】

 

The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, together with six other departments, recently released the Several Measures to Enhance the Commercial Vitality of Urban Neighborhoods in Shanghai. The document outlines nine key initiatives, including strengthening planning guidance and optimizing community spatial layouts; cultivating distinctive commercial zones and upgrading “main street + side street” clusters; creating themed neighborhoods with new consumption scenarios; and enhancing policy support to reduce operating costs for street-facing shops and start-up businesses.

Source:Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce

https://sww.sh.gov.cn/zwgkgfqtzcwj/20250620/e2a2c6fdcb7d4d2f81f552382d64cf2a.html

 

2.Shanghai Promotes the Deepening of Reforms in Special Customs Supervision Zones

【Keywords: Special customs supervision zones】

 

The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission recently issued the Shanghai Action Plan to Promote Deepening Reform, Transformation and Upgrading of Special Customs Supervision Zones (2025-2027). The plan proposes 26 specific tasks across four major initiatives, namely, functional transformation and upgrading, industrial quality enhancement, reform of management mechanisms, and improvement of public services.

Source:Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce

https://sww.sh.gov.cn/zwgkgfqtzcwj/20250624/b27eeb2f10af4bcd89c6261c803bf6c6.html

 

3.Huangpu District Promotes Development of Shanghai International Jewelry Fashion Functional Zone

【Keyword: Jewelry】

 

The Shanghai Huangpu District Commerce Commission and the Huangpu District Investment Promotion Office recently issued the Action Plan for Building the Shanghai International Jewelry Fashion Functional Zone. The plan outlines 24 targeted measures across four key areas: supporting the aggregation of jewelry and fashion resources, enhancing international influence, fostering innovation-driven development, and improving comprehensive services. The plan takes effect on July 1, 2025, and will remain in force until June 30, 2028.

 

Source:Shanghai Municipal People’s Government

https://www.shanghai.gov.cn/nw12344/20250626/bef45b3b19cf404597f252a869a4e46b.html

 

4.Pudong New Area Strengthens Protection of Trade Secrets

【Keywords: Trade secrets】

 

Recently, the Office of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Shanghai Pudong New Area is soliciting public opinions on the Several Provisions on Strengthening the Protection of Trade Secrets in Pudong New Area (Draft). The deadline for submitting feedback is July 9.

Source:Pudong New Area People’s Congress

One Week in Shanghai

 

【Latest News】

 

1.“Shanghai Online Business Registration” E-signature Services Fully Optimized and Upgraded

【Keywords: Business registration】

 

The e-signature service of the “Shanghai Online Business Registration” platform has been fully upgraded. Starting from June 24, when an enterprise is handling registration procedures entirely online, its shareholders, legal representatives, and other relevant parties can complete electronic signatures using mobile devices such as smartphones. The upgrade eliminates the need for computers throughout the online process.

Source:Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation

 

【Corporate Activities】

 

1.True Light Private Equity Landed in Shanghai

【Keywords: True Light Private Equity】

 

True Light (Shanghai) Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd. (“True Light Private Equity ”) recently completed its registration with the Asset Management Association of China. With a registered capital of RMB 21 million, True Light Private Equity completed its registration as a private equity and venture capital fund manager on June 16, 2025. Both its place of registration and office are in Jing’an District, Shanghai.

Source:Zhangtongshe

 

2.FEV China Headquarters Project Settles in Jiading

【Keyword: FEV】

 

FEV recently signed an agreement to establish its China Headquarters in Anting. With the headquarters now located here, FEV will be able to leverage its technological strengths in areas such as powertrain and intelligent driving. This move will facilitate deeper collaboration with existing R&D platforms in Anting, such as the National Intelligent Connected Vehicle (Shanghai) Pilot Zone, and promote the localized transformation of cutting-edge technologies.

Source:Shanghai Jiading

 

3.Lin-gang Special Area Hosts Signing Ceremony for Grid-forming Zero-carbon Energy International Cooperation Demonstration Center Project

【Keyword: Tesla】

 

Recently, the Shanghai Lin-gang Special Area Administration, the People’s Government of Fengxian District, China KangFu International Leasing Co., Ltd. and Tesla (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. held a signing ceremony for the grid-forming zero-carbon energy international cooperation demonstration center project. This marks the official settlement of the gigawatt-hour (GWh) grid-side independent energy storage power station and its supporting projects in Lin-gang, representing a total investment of RMB 4 billion.

Source:Zhangtongshe

 

【Culture & Art】

1.Tristan and Isolde Grandly Premieres

【Keywords: Tristan and Isolde】

The 2022 version of Bayreuth Festival’s opera “Tristan and Isolde”, produced by Shanghai Opera House, will be staged at Shanghai Grand Theater from July 4 to 6. Co-presented by Shanghai Opera House and Shanghai Grand Theater, it is the first major masterpiece of the “Bayreuth in Shanghai” three-year opera plan.

Source:Shanghai Huangpu

 

2.Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Unveils 2025-26 Music Season

【Keywords: Shanghai Symphony Orchestra】

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) recently announced its 2025-26 music season. The new season continues to unfold along its two main themes: “SSO Season” and “SSO Presents”. It encompasses 22 orchestra concerts, 7 SSO chamber music performances, 5 Music Map classes, 5 evening peak concerts, and 46 performances by visiting artists, offering Shanghai music lovers a non-stop, ten-month musical feast.

 

Source:International Services Shanghai

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20250623/e704cddc489d41db8540cb71a16dd25a.html

 

3.First Exhibition of Chinese Farmer Paintings Opens to Public

【Keywords: Chinese farmer paintings】

From June 27 to August 24, the First Exhibition of Chinese Farmer Paintings is on display at the China Art Museum, Shanghai. Centering on the spirit of Chinese rural culture, the exhibition showcases the production and daily life, folk customs, and natural landscapes of urban and rural areas in the new era through the art form of farmer paintings. It aims to preserve the collective memory of agrarian civilization and document the societal changes in rural areas. A total of 544 artworks are featured.

Source:Shanghai Tourism

Q&A

Q:At the June press conference held by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the NDRC’s spokesperson responded to a media inquiry regarding the recently approved Implementation Plan on Further Improving the Credit Repair System, which was reviewed and adopted at a recent State Council executive meeting — How will the NDRC ensure effective implementation of the Plan to better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of credit subjects?

A: The market economy is also a credit-based economy, and the credit system plays a vital role in maintaining market order. Establishing a credit repair mechanism — through the cessation of public disclosure of dishonesty records and the removal of disciplinary measures against discredited entities — offers such entities a chance to correct their mistakes and make a fresh start. This, in turn, encourages all types of market players to strengthen their awareness of the rule of law and integrity, while helping to reduce transaction costs in the marketplace. The implementation of the Plan can be summarized as “three unifications and one regulation”.

First, unify application reception. To address issues such as dishonesty records being disclosed by multiple departments and enterprises submitting duplicate credit repair applications, which have led to fragmented and repetitive repair processes, the NDRC will establish a unified application portal on the “Credit China” website. All types of credit repair applications will be received through this portal and then forwarded to the relevant industry regulatory authorities for processing, enabling integrated and efficient credit repair services.

Second, unify feedback. As credit repair involves multiple departments and sectors, the NDRC will strengthen coordination and collaboration with relevant authorities to promote deep integration and information sharing between the “Credit China” website and various industry credit information disclosure platforms. This approach enables greater circulation of credit data while reducing the need for credit subjects to make repeated visits. Once the credit repair process is completed, the “Credit China” website will provide unified feedback to applicants and offer downloadable credit repair decision documents, helping market entities restore and rebuild their credit standing more conveniently.

Third, unify classification. To address previous issues such as the complex variety of dishonest acts and the lack of unified standards for public disclosure periods, the Plan introduces a unified classification system, categorizing dishonesty records into three types: minor, moderate, and serious. It clarifies that the conditions for credit repair must match the degree of fault of the credit subject, ensuring that the penalties are appropriate to the severity of misconduct. This approach helps avoid “over-penalizing minor offenses” or “under-penalizing serious offenses” and provides lenient treatment for those with minor dishonest acts.

Fourth, regulate the conduct of third-party institutions. In response to discrepancies between credit information provided by some third-party institutions and that published on the “Credit China” website, we will collaborate with regulatory authorities to strengthen supervision over these institutions. Unlawful practices such as paid deletion of records and the disclosure of false information in the field of credit repair will be strictly investigated and penalized.

 

Source:NDRC

https://www.ndrc.gov.cn/xwdt/wszb/gjfgw6yxwfbh/

Expert Perspective

 

Foreign Investment Access Regime in China’s Cell and Gene Therapy Industry: Policy Analysis, Industry Implications and Compliance Recommendations

By Zhang Qixiang, Cheng Junge, Zhang Menglin, and Deng Zike (Zhong Lun Law Firm)

[Continued from the Previous Issue]

II. Evolution of Foreign Investment Access Policies in China’s CGT Industry

(2) Phase of Partial Prohibition on Foreign Investment (December 2007 – 2019)

In December 2007, the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries (2007 Revision) (now obsolete) officially came into effect. For the first time, it classified “the development and application of human stem cells, gene diagnosis, and gene therapy technologies” as industries prohibited to foreign investment.

In July 2017, the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) jointly issued and implemented the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries (2017 Revision) (now obsolete). This version introduced significant structural changes by integrating three categories of items — items in the encouraged category with shareholding ratio requirements, restricted items, and prohibited items — into a unified framework known as the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment. This marked the initial formation of China’s foreign investment negative list. During this period, “the development and application of human stem cells, gene diagnosis, and gene therapy technologies” remained on the prohibited list.

In July 2018, the NDRC and the MOFCOM issued and implemented the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment and the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access in Pilot Free Trade Zones (both now obsolete). These documents marked the separation of the negative list from the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries, introducing a standalone format that clearly outlined special administrative measures —such as equity ratio requirements and senior management restrictions — in a unified and transparent manner aligned with international standards. The above-mentioned documents and their subsequent revisions — including the currently effective Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment (2024 Edition) — consistently stipulate that “foreign investment is prohibited in the development and application of human stem cells, gene diagnosis, and gene therapy technologies”.

During this period, China’s foreign investment access policies made no specific provisions for other sub-sectors within the CGT industry (such as immune cell therapy) other than “development and application of human stem cell, gene diagnosis and therapy technologies”. As a result, these related sub-sectors still lack specific foreign investment access policies.

[To be Continued]