Laws and Regulations

 

National

 

1.Measures on the Credit Management of Enterprises Registered and Filed with Customs Released

[Keywords: Customs, Enterprise credit]

 

Recently, the Measures of the Customs of the People’s Republic of China for the Credit Management of Registered and Filed Enterprises (General Administration of Customs Order No. 282) was released. According to the document, enterprises are classified into five credit categories based on their credit status, namely, advanced certified enterprises, certified enterprises, regular enterprises, dishonest enterprises, and seriously dishonest enterprises. Among them, advanced certified enterprises and certified enterprises are recognized as China’s authorized economic operators (AEOs). The document will take effect on April 1, 2026.

 

Source: Customs Release

 

2.Measures for the Handling of Complaints and Reports in Market Supervision and Administration Released

[Keywords: Complaints and reports]

 

The State Administration for Market Regulation recently released the Measures for the Handling of Complaints and Reports in Market Supervision and Administration. The document revises the previous Interim Measures for the Handling of Complaints and Reports in Market Supervision and Administration. The revision focuses on four key areas: strengthening the protection of rights and interests and promoting dispute resolution; optimizing jurisdiction over complaints and reinforcing platform responsibilities; streamlining reporting procedures to enhance handling efficiency; and regulating malicious claims to prevent the abuse of the system. The document will take effect on April 15, 2026.

 

Source: Market Regulation Updates

 

3.MIIT Issues Action Plan to Advance the High-quality Development of Industrial Internet Platforms Over the Next Three Years

[Keywords: Industry, Internet platforms]

 

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released the Action Plan for Promoting High-quality Development of Industrial Internet Platforms (2026–2028). The document proposes that by 2028, the number of industrial internet platforms with a certain level of influence will exceed 450, the number of industrial devices connected to key platforms will surpass 120 million units, and the platform penetration rate is expected to reach over 55%. The initiative aims to basically establish a new-generation industrial internet platform ecosystem featuring ubiquitous connectivity, digital-intelligent integration, deep collaboration, and open source.

 

Source: MIIT WeChat Official Account

 

Shanghai

 

1.Full Text of the Recommendations of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development Released

[Keywords: Five-Year Plan] 

 

The full text of the Recommendations of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee for Formulating Shanghai’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development was released on January 19. The document calls for accelerating the development of the Five Centers initiative to continuously elevate the city’s overall capacity and core competitiveness. It aims to deepen high-standard reform and opening-up and bolster the momentum and vitality of high-quality development.

 

Source: Shanghai Release

 

2.Shanghai Releases Measures to Promote Coordinated Development Between Service Sector Upgrading and Demand Expansion

[Keywords: Service sector, Consumption]

 

The General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government recently issued the Several Measures for Promoting Coordinated Development Between the Quality and Efficiency Enhancement of the Service Sector and the Boosting and Expansion of Consumption in Shanghai. The document introduces 28 measures focusing on six key service sectors, including financial services, information services, transportation, culture and entertainment, lifestyle services, and inspection, testing and certification.

 

Source: International Services Shanghai

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Policies/20260114/055ea8d07c004996923d89fc2492eca4.html

 

3.Shanghai Releases Three Year Action Plan to Promote the Leasing and Business Services Sector

[Keywords: Leasing, Business services]

 

Recently, the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government issued the Three-year Action Plan of Shanghai to Concentrate Industrial, Spatial and Factors of Production and Resources in the Leasing and Business Services Industry (2026–2028). The document focuses on five major initiatives, including actions to foster the clustering of competitive industries, spatial carriers, and factors of production and resources. It aims to build a robust industrial ecosystem and industrial clusters.

 

Source: International Services Shanghai

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Policies/20260113/9a736c4fccc849e2ad9307e4bf97c9ac.html

 

4.Shanghai Releases Guidelines to Promote the Regulated Development of Internet Platform Advertising

[Keywords: Internet platforms, Advertising]

 

The Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation recently issued the Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Regulated and Healthy Development of Internet Platform Advertising. The document sets out 20 key tasks across six aspects to further enhance the governance effectiveness and development capacity of internet platform advertising in Shanghai.

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation

https://scjgj.sh.gov.cn/207/20260109/2c984a729b92b990019ba06d36224232.html

Q&A

 

At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office to brief the media on the effects of monetary and financial policies in supporting the high-quality development of the real economy, an official of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) answered questions from reporters.

Q

In 2025, China continued to advance two-way opening-up of its financial market. What new measures will the SAFE introduce to enhance the level of capital account openness and further facilitate cross-border investment and financing?

A

The Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development proposes to “improve the openness of capital account”. We will anchor our efforts to the goals and tasks of the 15th Five-Year Plan and steadily promote high-standard institutional opening-up of the capital account in fields such as direct investment, securities investment, and cross-border financing. The main measures will focus on the following four aspects.

First, we will steadily advance two-way opening-up of the financial market. Recently, the People’s Bank of China and the SAFE jointly released policies on the funds management for overseas listing of domestic enterprises. These policies aim to unify the management of RMB and foreign currency funds for overseas listings and support enterprises in financing efficiently in overseas financial markets. Moving forward, we will further study and refine cross-border fund policies for Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII), and continue to grant investment quotas to Qualified Domestic Institutional Investors (QDII) in an orderly manner. We will also work with relevant departments to advance the development of financial market connectivity mechanisms such as the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect, and Bond Connect to continuously enhance the two-way opening-up of the financial markets.

Second, we will continue to deepen the reform of foreign exchange management for cross-border investment and financing. We will further intensify efforts to advance reforms in foreign exchange administration for foreign direct investment, with a focus on streamlining relevant foreign exchange registration procedures and facilitating the payment and use of foreign investment funds, so as to better support foreign investors in conducting and expanding their businesses in China. Moreover, we will revise and issue the measures for the integrated management of RMB and foreign currencies for overseas lending by domestic enterprises, facilitate financing for enterprises going global and help reduce costs and improve efficiency. Foreign exchange management policies for domestic foreign currency loans will also be refined to better support enterprises in carrying out cross-border trade activities. At the same time, we will formulate a new package of policy measures to facilitate cross-border investment and financing, further optimize foreign exchange settlement and conversion management, and enhance digital services to better support the high-quality development of the real economy.

Third, we will actively enhance capacity to develop the “five key financial pillars” (namely, sci-tech finance, green finance, inclusive finance, elderly care finance, and digital finance). In 2025, we introduced upgraded and more facilitative cross-border financing policies tailored to high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), “specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative” SMEs and technology-based SMEs. We also launched pilot programs for green foreign debt to support green development and low-carbon transition projects. To date, these policies have helped enterprises secure nearly US$10 billion in financing in total. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize technology finance and green finance, further strengthen policy implementation, upgrade and expand the scope of pilot programs to allow more enterprises to benefit from policy facilitation, and support technological innovation and green and low-carbon development.

Fourth, we will promote and upgrade the integrated RMB and foreign currency cash pooling policies for multinational corporations (MNCs). In recent years, we have continuously advanced the iterative upgrading of cash pooling policies for MNCs and intensified the integration of various types of cash pools. A policy framework for multinational cash pooling characterized by the “integration of RMB and foreign currencies and combination of high tier and standard tier cash pools” has initially taken shape. To date, these policies have benefited over 1,100 MNCs and 19,000 member enterprises, involving cross-border receipts and payments totaling US$2.1 trillion. Recently, the integrated RMB and foreign currency cash pooling policies applicable to large and ultra-large MNCs have been rolled out nationwide. In 2026, we will extend the policies on centralized cross-border fund management to a broader range of medium-sized MNCs across the country, to support and facilitate more MNCs in conducting flexible and efficient cross-border fund operations and contribute to the development of the headquarters economy.

 

Source: SCIO

http://www.scio.gov.cn/live/2026/37841/tw/

 

Expert Perspective

 

China’s New Mineral Resources Law: Opening a New Era of Strategic Opportunities for Foreign Investors in China’s Mining Sector

 

By Yang Guisheng, Zhu Qi, Wang Yonghui, and Shi Ranran (Beijing Dacheng Law Offices)

 

The newly revised Mineral Resources Law (hereinafter referred to as the “New Mineral Resources Law”) officially took effect on July 1, 2025. This revision is more than just an update of the legal framework; it signifies a strategic transformation in China’s mining sector from a traditional regulatory model to a modernized governance system.

With rapid economic and social development, the shortcomings of the former Mineral Resources Law (referring to the Mineral Resources Law amended in 2009) became increasingly apparent in areas such as market-based allocation of resources, protection of property rights, advancement of ecological civilization, and safeguarding energy and resource security. Building on years of successful reform experience in mineral resources administration, the New Mineral Resources Law introduces significant innovations in regulatory philosophy and institutional design. It provides mining rights holders with more stable expectations of rights, a more transparent trading environment, and a more robust system for the protection of legitimate interests.

For foreign investors, this development signifies not only the optimization of market access conditions and the reduction of investment risks, but also a significant opportunity to achieve long-term and sustainable returns in China’s mining market.

I. Transformation of the Mining Rights Management Regime: From an “Approval-Based” Model to a “Property-Rights-Based” Framework

1. Separation of rights and permits

The “separation of rights and permits” system is one of the core systems established under the New Mineral Resources Law. Its essence lies in separating the property rights registration of mining rights from the licensing of mineral resource exploration and extraction activities, with each being confirmed and regulated by distinct systems.

Under the New Mineral Resources Law, the mining rights certificate serves as the instrument for the registration of property rights and is used to confirm the right holder’s entitlement to possess, use, and derive benefits from specific mineral resources. The establishment, modification, transfer, mortgage, and termination of such rights take effect only upon registration.

By contrast, exploration permit and mining permit are administrative licenses issued by the competent authorities for specific exploration and extraction activities. These permits focus on reviewing the scientific soundness and safety of exploration and mining plans, as well as the feasibility of ecological protection measures. This reflects the state’s approach to risk control in the development of mineral resources and the safeguarding of public interests.

From the perspective of legal effect, the mining rights certificate and the exploration and mining permits are independent of each other. Even if a permit becomes invalid due to non-renewal upon expiration or revocation, the underlying property right will continue to exist as long as the mining rights certificate remains valid. In such circumstances, the right holder may, after completing rectification and meeting the relevant requirements, reapply for the permits and resume production and business operations. This institutional arrangement fundamentally changes the previous risk paradigm under which the “loss” of a permit led to the extinction of the underlying right, thereby providing mining rights holders with more stable and predictable expectations of their legal rights.

For transactions involving mining rights, the “separation of rights and permits” achieves openness and transparency of rights status through a unified national mining rights registry. This enables transaction parties to conveniently verify information on ownership, duration, mortgages, seizures, and other encumbrances, thereby effectively reducing transaction risks. At the same time, the law expressly provides that the transfer of mining rights takes effect once it is recorded in the registry. By eliminating the previous requirement for transfer approval, it significantly improves the efficiency of market circulation.

The institutional reform of the “separation of rights and permits” not only accords with the requirements of the numerus clausus principle under the Civil Code, but also aligns with the fundamental needs of the market economy for clear property rights and secure transactions. For various market entities including foreign investors, this separation signifies an optimization of the investment environment. It offers clearer boundaries for rights, less but more-regulated administrative intervention, and broader financing channels, thereby injecting new vitality into the high-quality development of the mining economy.

[To be continued]

 

One Week in Shanghai

 

Latest News

 

1.Vietnam and UAE National Centers Commence Operations at the Waigaoqiao Global Hub

[Keywords: Waigaoqiao Global Hub, Vietnam, UAE]

 

The Waigaoqiao Global Hub platform has recently marked a new milestone, with the Vietnam National Center and the United Arab Emirates National Center successively signing agreements to settle in and commence operations. This brings the total number of national pavilions and commodity centers from “Silk Road E-commerce” partner countries on the platform to 20. It further strengthens the commodity matrix and resource network serving countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

 

Source: Pudong Release

 

Corporate Activities

 

1.Malaysia’s PETRONAS Establishes Subsidiary in the Dishui Lake Financial Bay

[Keywords: PETRONAS]

 

Recently, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) established its wholly-owned subsidiary, PETRONAS LNG (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., in Dishui Lake Financial Bay in the Lin-gang Special Area. The move marks PETRONAS’ first China-based entity dedicated exclusively to liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations, and further strengthens the emerging international energy trade ecosystem in the Lin-gang Special Area.

 

Source: Dishui Lake Financial Bay

 

2.Phase II Project of Autoliv Shanghai Jiading Plant Officially Put into Operation

[Keyword: Autoliv]

 

Recently, the launch ceremony was held for the launch of the Phase II project, featuring an intelligent automated warehouse, at the Shanghai Jiading plant of Autoliv (Shanghai) Vehicle Safety Systems Co. The project houses the largest fully-automated high-bay warehousing system in Autoliv’s China operations, and is dedicated to becoming a global benchmark base for Autoliv’s airbag production.

 

Source: Shanghai Jiading Industrial Zone

 

Culture & Art

 

1.Shanghai Announces a Range of Chinese New Year Festivities

[Keywords: Chinese New Year Festivities]

 

Recently, Shanghai announced a variety of cultural and tourism activities for the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday. The lineup spans a wide variety of genres, from the vibrant atmosphere of Richie Jen’s concerts, to the unique charm of new Chinese style dance, as well as Shanghai-style solo performances and stand-up comedy. Catering to audiences of all ages, these performances invite residents and tourists to enjoy a rich audiovisual experience and embrace the festive spirit of reunion.

 

Source: Shanghai Tourism

 

2.“Meet in Shanghai @ Spring Festival” Digital Guide Officially Launched

[Keywords: Meet in Shanghai @ Spring Festival]

The “A Taste of Life’s Flavors” digital guide, which serves as the online navigation platform for the “Meet in Shanghai @ Spring Festival” series, was officially launched recently. This marks the full rollout of the “Meet in Shanghai @ Spring Festival 2026” intangible cultural heritage events. Spanning the entire Spring Festival period from mid-January through the Lantern Festival on March 3, these events will offer immersive experiences in culinary activities, lantern festivals, calligraphy and riddle events, and traditional craftsmanship workshops.

 

Source: Shanghai Tourism

 

3.Global Taste in Shanghai 2026 and European Flavor Season Kick off

[Keywords: Global Taste in Shanghai]

 

Recently, the Global Taste in Shanghai 2026 and the European Flavor Season were officially launched. The program will be rolled out in phases under four major flavor themes. During the Spring Festival, a special Global New Year Flavors event will also be held to promote exchange and mutual learning between Chinese cuisine and culinary cultures from around the world.

 

Source: International Services Shanghai

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-MajorConsumerEvents/20260112/208dba63a6f6411d83a3d80b6ffdd9fd.html