JC Master Legal News Issue 908

Key Takeaways for This Issue

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has issued the “Decision on Abolishing Certain Regulatory Documents in the Securities and Futures Fields.”

To ensure the effective implementation of the newly revised Securities Law, further advance the development of a law-based government, and establish a more robust and scientifically sound regulatory framework for the securities and futures markets, the China Securities Regulatory Commission recently issued the “Decision on Abolishing Certain Regulatory Documents in the Securities and Futures Fields,” which abolishes 18 such documents.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development and two other departments: Enterprises may apply to defer payment of housing provident fund contributions.

On the 20th, Ni Hong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, stated that the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the People’s Bank of China, has formulated three temporary support measures for the housing provident fund. Enterprises may, in accordance with regulations, apply to defer contributions to the housing provident fund until June 30, 2020. During the deferral period, the length of contribution will be calculated continuously, without affecting employees’ ability to make normal withdrawals or to apply for housing provident fund loans.

The deadline for filing and paying taxes in February has been extended again to February 28.

In light of the ongoing epidemic prevention and control efforts, and to facilitate taxpayers and withholding agents in coordinating their filing and tax payment obligations, the State Taxation Administration has decided that, with the exception of Hubei Province, the February filing and tax payment deadline nationwide will be further extended to February 28, following the previous extension to February 24.

The Supreme People’s Court has issued a notice on strengthening and standardizing online litigation to provide robust judicial support for epidemic prevention and control.

The Supreme People’s Court recently issued the “Notice on Strengthening and Standardizing Online Litigation During the Prevention and Control of COVID‑19” (hereinafter referred to as the “Notice”), which comprehensively mobilizes courts nationwide to advance online litigation, sets forth clear requirements, and establishes specific rules, thereby guiding and regulating the orderly conduct of online litigation by people’s courts at all levels during the pandemic.

Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss COVID-19 prevention and control efforts.

On February 21, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting to review COVID‑19 prevention and control efforts and to make arrangements for coordinating epidemic response with economic and social development. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Finance & Capital Markets

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has issued the “Decision on Abolishing Certain Regulatory Documents in the Securities and Futures Fields.”

Commercial banks and insurance institutions have been authorized to participate in the treasury bond futures market.

A Multi‑Pronged Approach Bolsters Support as the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s Pandemic‑Response Special Bonds Are Rolled Out in Bulk

The LPR has been cut again, further driving down corporate financing costs.

M&A and restructuring undergo their first trial of video review, with the pace of operations remaining steady.

Corporate & Commercial

The Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development and two other departments: Enterprises may apply to defer payment of housing provident fund contributions.

The People’s Bank of China: Maintain the continuity, consistency, and stability of real estate financial policies.

Baidu App User’s Pandemic‑Response Chronicles: Over 1 Billion Daily Searches and Views of Epidemic Information

Douyu has launched a special “Wuhan, Keep Going!” livestreaming section to help Wuhan prevail in the tough battle against the epidemic.

Today’s Headline, Xigua Video, Douyin, and other platforms are “fighting the epidemic and helping farmers,” helping agricultural products find markets.

Taxation

The deadline for filing and paying taxes in February has been extended again to February 28.

The State Taxation Administration has clarified that enterprises that paid relevant fees in February will receive refunds or credits in accordance with the regulations.

Ministry of Finance: Social security contributions are expected to be reduced or exempted by 600 billion yuan, with impacts remaining manageable.

The State Taxation Administration has released a list of “non-contact” online tax services, enabling taxpayers to handle 185 tax-related payment matters online.

A new approach to combating tax evasion and avoidance has emerged, as the French government leverages AI to recover more than €700 million in unpaid taxes.

Litigation & Arbitration

The Supreme People’s Court has issued a notice on strengthening and standardizing online litigation to provide robust judicial support for epidemic prevention and control.

Sun Xiaoguo has been executed.

The second-instance verdict in Sun Wenbin’s intentional homicide appeal has been delivered, upholding the first-instance death sentence.

Two departments: Eligible personnel who died in the line of duty after contracting COVID-19 shall be recognized as martyrs.

Other

Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss COVID-19 prevention and control efforts.

Finance & Capital Markets

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has issued the “Decision on Abolishing Certain Regulatory Documents in the Securities and Futures Fields.”

To ensure the effective implementation of the newly revised Securities Law, in accordance with the requirements set forth in documents issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on advancing the building of a law-based government—such as the Outline for the Construction of a Law-Based Government (2015–2020) (Document No. 36 [2015] of the CPC Central Committee) and the General Office of the State Council’s Notice on Strengthening the Formulation and Supervisory Management of Administrative Regulatory Documents (Document No. 37 [2018] of the General Office of the State Council)—and to meet the needs of comprehensively deepening capital market reform, the China Securities Regulatory Commission has conducted a review of relevant regulations and normative documents and has decided to repeal the following 18 normative documents:

I. Notice on the Forwarding of the CSRC’s “Report on Issues Concerning the Public Offering and Listing of Domestic Enterprises Abroad” (April 9, 1993, Document No. [1993] 18 issued by the Securities Commission)

II. Notice on Further Clarifying the Division of Responsibilities in Investigating and Prosecuting Illegal Futures Trading (August 12, 1998, CSRC Futures Document No. [1998] 15)

III. Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning the Supervision of Overseas Securities‑Related Institutions with Chinese Investment (September 7, 1998, CSRC Document No. [1998] 19)

IV. Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning the Further Implementation of the Cleanup and Rectification of Securities Trading Centers (December 7, 1998, CSRC Document No. 57 [1998])

V. Notice on Matters Concerning the Cleanup and Rectification of Securities Trading Centers (May 4, 1999, CSRC Market Letter [1999] No. 21)

VI. Notice on Applications by Securities Investment Consulting Institutions for Qualification to Engage in Consulting Services and by Securities Investment Consultants for Professional Practice Qualification (July 27, 1999, CSRC Document No. [1999] 68)

VII. Notice on Prohibiting Restrictions on Intermediary Institutions Engaging in Securities‑Related Business Across Regions (November 16, 1999, CSRC Accounting Document No. [1999] 60)

VIII. Standard Q&A No. 6 — Payment of Remuneration to Accounting Offices and Related Disclosure (Securities Regulatory Commission Accounting Document [2001] No. 67, dated December 24, 2001) 3

IX. Notice on Forwarding the “Notice on Clearly Defining the Division of Responsibilities among Relevant Departments for Identifying, Investigating, and Prohibiting Illegal Fund-Raising” (CSRC Office Document No. 15 [2005] dated April 22, 2005)

X. Notice on the Cessation of Special Audit Requirements for Certain Listed Companies (March 8, 2007, CSRC Accounting Document No. [2007] 12)

XI. Notice on Adjusting the Preparation and Reporting of Risk Supervision Reports by Futures Companies (July 19, 2007, CSRC Futures Document No. [2007] 93)

XII. Notice on Further Strengthening the Supervision of Overseas Branches of Futures Companies (December 26, 2007, CSRC Futures Document No. [2007] 376)

Thirteen. Measures of the China Securities Regulatory Commission on the Disclosure of Information in the Supervision and Administration of Securities and Futures (Trial) (CSRC Announcement [2008] No. 18, April 25, 2008)

XIV. Provisions on the Completion of the “Supplementary Schedule to the Professional Opinion of Financial Advisors for Mergers and Acquisitions and Restructuring of Listed Companies” (CSRC Announcement [2010] No. 31, November 18, 2010)

XV. Notice on Strictly Applying the Listing Standards for Initial Public Offerings in the Review of Backdoor Listings (November 30, 2013, CSRC Document No. [2013] 61)

XVI. Guidelines for the Application Process for the First Batch of Investor Education Bases (CSRC Announcement No. 23 [2015] dated September 8, 2015)

XVII. Several Opinions on Further Promoting the Development of the National Equities Exchange and Quotations System for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (CSRC Announcement [2015] No. 26, November 16, 2015)

XVIII. Guidelines for the Application Process for the Second Batch of Securities and Futures Investor Education Bases (CSRC Announcement [2016] No. 36, December 22, 2016)

Commercial banks and insurance institutions have been authorized to participate in the treasury bond futures market.

With the approval of the State Council, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the People’s Bank of China, and the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission have jointly issued an announcement permitting commercial banks and insurance institutions, on the basis of compliance with laws and regulations, controllable risks, and commercial sustainability, to progressively engage in treasury bond futures trading at the China Financial Futures Exchange.

Commercial banks and insurance institutions are major participants in the bond market. Their engagement in the government bond futures market helps meet their interest-rate risk management needs, enhances operational stability, and further strengthens their ability to serve the real economy. At the same time, the participation of commercial banks and insurance institutions in government bond futures will promote the coordinated development of the government bond spot and futures markets, diversify the investor base in the futures market, and facilitate the effective functioning of government bond futures.

Going forward, the China Financial Futures Exchange will further implement the regulatory philosophy of “four respects and one concerted effort,” earnestly carry out the regulatory authorities’ directives on the participation of commercial banks and insurance institutions in treasury bond futures, and steadily advance supporting measures such as revising exchange rules, streamlining business procedures, upgrading technical systems, and conducting investor education. At the same time, it will closely monitor market conditions, strengthen risk management, and ensure the stable operation of the treasury bond futures market.

A Multi‑Pronged Approach Bolsters Support as the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s Pandemic‑Response Special Bonds Are Rolled Out in Bulk

Since the first corporate bond issuance supporting innovative epidemic‑prevention products was swiftly approved on February 4, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange has continuously refined its “green channel,” promptly addressing new circumstances and emerging needs in its operations, and ensuring that support measures are effectively implemented. To date, it has completed the review of five newly issued fixed‑income products whose proceeds are earmarked for epidemic prevention and control, with a total financing scale of RMB 14.6 billion; additionally, it has facilitated the issuance of five fixed‑income products whose investment allocations have been adjusted to support epidemic‑prevention efforts, raising a combined RMB 9 billion.

Implement the “green channel” for bond reviews.

The Shenzhen Stock Exchange has conducted a thorough assessment of issuers’ financing needs and established a dedicated mechanism for COVID‑19‑related fixed‑income products, featuring designated contacts and full‑time review teams. This enables the Exchange to respond swiftly to market inquiries and enhance coordination across business lines. At the same time, it has streamlined its review procedures, implementing an “immediate filing, immediate review” process for such products and providing comprehensive “green‑channel” services. China Railway Construction Corporation’s subsidiaries, China Railway 11th Bureau and China Railway 14th Bureau, participated in the construction of Huoshenshan Hospital as well as two makeshift hospitals—the Wuhan International Convention and Exhibition Center and the Wuhan Living Room. Meanwhile, China Railway 18th Bureau led the renovation of a Tianjin‑style “Xiaotangshan” hospital. To support these subsidiary projects, CRCC plans to leverage supply‑chain finance asset‑backed securities, providing funding to small, medium, and micro enterprises among its suppliers located in regions severely affected by the pandemic. In response, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange has expedited related applications through its “green channel,” issuing a no‑objection letter within just two working days, thereby offering robust support for central state‑owned enterprises’ COVID‑19 prevention and control efforts.

The enterprises benefiting from the “Green Channel” service also include Wuhan Sishui, the issuer of Hubei Province’s first corporate bond supporting innovative epidemic‑prevention products; Sichuan Shangtou, which undertakes functions related to the procurement, production, stockpiling, sales, and distribution of epidemic‑prevention supplies in Sichuan Province; Vanke Co., Ltd., which provides financing to small and medium‑sized suppliers in Hubei; and BAIC Industrial Investment, which offers logistical support to regions severely affected by the pandemic.

Enhance the efficiency of product issuance and listing.

To help issuers promptly address the impact of the pandemic, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange has responded to market needs and addressed market challenges by adopting flexible measures for cases where issuance is hindered by the epidemic, further enhancing its one-stop services for the issuance, registration, and listing of fixed-income products.

On February 6, upon learning that Guangxi Construction Engineering Group had financing needs for epidemic prevention and control, but was unable to submit certain issuance‑related documents as required due to the pandemic, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange collaborated closely with the issuer, the lead underwriter Guohai Securities, and other stakeholders to handle the matter prudently. The Exchange provided full support to help the issuer swiftly initiate the offering, implementing a regulatory flexibility mechanism of “filing first, supplementing later,” and completed all preparatory work within one business day. On February 7, the exchange’s first special bond dedicated to epidemic prevention and control was successfully book‑built and issued.

At present, other entities that have completed the bookbuilding process for epidemic‑prevention‑related fixed‑income products include China Development & Investment Corporation, which is raising funds to support its subsidiaries in producing pandemic‑prevention supplies; Changjiang Securities, headquartered in Wuhan and significantly impacted by the outbreak; Great Wall Securities, which issued the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s first-ever bond issued by a securities office to finance pandemic‑prevention efforts; and Shenzhen Metro, which is providing financing to support epidemic‑prevention measures in the rail transit sector.

The LPR has been cut again, further driving down corporate financing costs.

On February 20, the National Interbank Funding Center released the latest Loan Prime Rate (LPR). The 1-year rate was set at 4.05%, down 10 basis points, while the rate for maturities of 5 years and above stood at 4.75%, a decrease of 5 basis points.

Several experts noted that the LPR is primarily linked to the one-year MLF rate, so this month’s decline in the LPR was in line with market expectations. Moreover, with both the one-year and the five-year-plus LPRs falling, this move not only provides short-term support to key enterprises during the pandemic response but also, in the longer term, helps reduce financing costs for private and small‑and‑micro businesses, thereby contributing positively to easing downward economic pressures.

At present, downward economic pressures cannot be ignored, and when combined with the adverse effects of the pandemic, reducing costs for businesses has become imperative. According to reports, this round of quotations marks the seventh official announcement since the LPR reform. Specifically, the one-year LPR has been cut three times, falling from its initial level of 4.25% to 4.05%, while the five-year LPR has also been lowered twice, now standing at 4.75%.

Dong Ximiao, a specially appointed researcher at the National Financial and Development Laboratory, analyzes that new loans are already being priced based on the Loan Prime Rate (LPR), and the conversion of existing loan pricing benchmarks is about to begin. The simultaneous reduction in both tenors of the LPR will help push down lending rates, thereby lowering financing costs for the real economy. In particular, the 1-year LPR was cut by 10 basis points—the largest decline since the LPR pricing mechanism was reformed and improved in August 2019. This move will help bring about a significant drop in corporate loan rates during this critical phase of COVID‑19 prevention and control, providing robust support for winning the battle against the pandemic and better assisting small and medium-sized enterprises.

M&A and restructuring undergo their first trial of video review, with the pace of operations remaining steady.

While combating the COVID‑19 pandemic, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has proceeded with its merger and acquisition (M&A) and restructuring review work as scheduled. The M&A and Restructuring Review Committee held its first meeting after the holiday, during which FAW Car’s restructuring proposal was approved unconditionally, while Boya Bio’s restructuring application was rejected. Notably, this meeting was conducted via online video conferencing; the CSRC will continue to coordinate with relevant local securities regulatory authorities to adopt remote video‑conference review procedures, ensuring the steady pace of M&A and restructuring activities.

Commercial & Corporate

The Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development and two other departments: Enterprises may apply to defer payment of housing provident fund contributions.

According to Ni Hong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, who made the announcement on the 20th, the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the People’s Bank of China, has formulated three temporary support measures for the housing provident fund. Enterprises may, in accordance with relevant regulations, apply to defer contributions to the housing provident fund until June 30, 2020. During the deferral period, the length of contribution will be calculated continuously, without affecting employees’ ability to make normal withdrawals or to apply for housing provident fund loans.

At a press conference of the State Council Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism, Ni Hong stated that, for employees—particularly frontline medical personnel and epidemic‑control workers—who are required to undergo quarantine or have been temporarily affected by the pandemic, housing provident fund loans that cannot be repaid on time before June 30, 2020, will not be treated as overdue. In addition, to alleviate the financial burden of rent payments, eligible contributors may have their rent‑withdrawal limits appropriately increased, with flexible arrangements for withdrawal timing.

In addition, enterprises located in areas severely or moderately affected by the epidemic may, following full consultation with their employees, opt to make voluntary contributions to the housing provident fund before June 30, 2020. For those who continue making contributions, they may independently determine the contribution rate; for those who suspend contributions, the period of suspension will still be counted as continuous service time, without affecting employees’ ability to withdraw their housing provident fund or apply for housing provident fund loans.

The People’s Bank of China: Maintain the continuity, consistency, and stability of real estate financial policies.

On February 21, the People’s Bank of China convened a videoconference on financial market work for 2020. The meeting emphasized maintaining the continuity, consistency, and stability of real estate financial policies, continuing to implement a city-specific approach to effectively uphold the long-term mechanism for managing the real estate sector, and adopting measures such as setting quantitative targets, reforming and improving the policy framework and regulatory mechanisms, and enhancing service capabilities, in order to further alleviate the difficulties and high costs of financing faced by small and micro enterprises.

In accordance with the meeting’s directives, in 2020 the financial markets business line will prioritize the following tasks: First, promote the stable and sound development of the financial markets. This includes reforming the bond issuance management system, improving mechanisms for preventing and handling bond default risks, advancing high‑level opening-up of the bond market, strengthening coordinated regulation of financial infrastructure, enhancing the resilience of the money market, standardizing governance and risk prevention in the bills market, and regulating the development of the gold market. Second, maintain the continuity, consistency, and stability of real estate financial policies, continue to implement city‑specific measures under the long‑term real estate management framework, and ensure the smooth functioning of the market. Third, adopt a multi‑pronged approach to thoroughly defuse internet finance risks and establish a robust, long‑term regulatory mechanism for the sector. Fourth, through quantitative targets, policy reforms and improved constraint mechanisms, and enhanced service capabilities, further alleviate the difficulties and high costs of financing faced by small and micro enterprises. Fifth, focus on deeply impoverished areas, continuously increase financial resource allocation, consolidate poverty‑alleviation achievements, and ensure high‑quality poverty reduction. At the same time, explore the establishment of a long‑term mechanism to address relative poverty. Sixth, strengthen financial support for key sectors and vulnerable links—such as manufacturing, technological innovation, rural revitalization, and balanced regional development—and guard against and resolve local government debt risks.

Meanwhile, the meeting underscored that the People’s Bank of China, in coordination with relevant departments, has introduced 30 measures to provide financial support for epidemic prevention and control. All branches are expected to focus on enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission, strengthen guidance and oversight, ensure the swift and targeted implementation of the RMB 300 billion special re-lending policy, and step up financial support for sectors and enterprises severely affected by the pandemic. At the same time, they should further expand credit support for the real economy—particularly manufacturing, small and micro enterprises, and private offices—to foster a favorable monetary and financial environment for economic growth.

Baidu App User’s Pandemic‑Response Chronicles: Over 1 Billion Daily Searches and Views of Epidemic Information

The nationwide fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia has been ongoing for more than a month. In this battle against the epidemic, frontline workers have stood office and shouldered their responsibilities, building one line of defense after another to safeguard public health. But how are ordinary citizens responding to this war without gunfire? On February 20, the “Baidu App User Record of Fighting the Epidemic” (hereinafter referred to as the “Report”) was released. Drawing on users’ needs for authoritative information, knowledge, and services during the pandemic, the Report highlights how Baidu users have wielded knowledge and information as their “weapons,” joining the second front in the national effort to combat the virus. Notably, daily searches and views of COVID‑19–related content on Baidu exceed 1 billion, with over 50 million people per day visiting the “Fight Against Pneumonia” channel—underscoring the public’s serious attitude and cautious approach to prevention. Meanwhile, Baidu Health’s “Ask a Doctor” service recorded more than 850,000 consultations in a single day, reflecting the soaring demand for online medical advice amid the crisis.

The report shows that since the outbreak, a wealth of authoritative expertise and information has become an essential need for users. As an app with over 200 million daily active users, Baidu App continues to see daily usage grow by more than 10% compared to pre‑Spring Festival levels. On the Baidu App’s homepage, the “Fight Against Pneumonia” channel has drawn the most attention, with its top‑featured sections being the epidemic map, local outbreak updates, and fact‑checking on pandemic rumors.

In an era of information overload, distinguishing fact from fiction has become increasingly difficult. To address this, Baidu has built an informational barrier to help users guard against rumors and panic. As of February 20, Baidu’s fact-checking content has reached over 500 million users. Notably, those born in the 1980s and 1990s are particularly attentive to such information, accounting for nearly 50% of users; Hubei, Shandong, Guangdong, and other provinces rank among the most engaged.

In addition to proactively seeking pandemic-related information, the general public has shown an exceptionally strong willingness to further educate themselves on preventive measures. Over 100 million viewers have tuned into Baidu Health’s “Anti-Epidemic Live Stream,” while the “Pneumonia Caused by Novel Coronavirus Infection” entry on Baidu Health’s Medical Encyclopedia has collectively satisfied more than 200 million user search queries.

During this critical period, big data has also become a powerful tool for internet users to protect themselves. On the pandemic map section, more than 3.2 billion visits have been recorded as users check the latest updates. Baidu’s four COVID‑19 search‑data reports have been cited over 2,000 times by authoritative media nationwide, reaching tens of millions of readers and viewers each day.

Douyu has launched a special “Wuhan, Keep Going!” livestreaming section to help Wuhan prevail in the tough battle against the epidemic.

As a Wuhan‑based company, Douyu has, since the outbreak of the pandemic, remained on the front lines of the fight against COVID‑19 while prioritizing the health and safety of its employees. It swiftly partnered with authoritative media outlets—including Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, CCTV Video, and CCTV.com—to co‑produce live‑streamed programs dedicated to epidemic prevention and control. The launch of this “Wuhan, Keep Going!” livestreaming hub further underscores Douyu’s commitment to fulfilling its social responsibility by leveraging the strengths of its livestreaming platform in these challenging times.

According to reports, the “Wuhan, You Can Do It!” livestreaming section is divided into three main modules—“On-the‑Scene Coverage of Wuhan,” “Live Updates from the Ground,” and “Epidemic Prevention Knowledge”—and spans multiple official livestream channels across Douyu’s tech‑education, outdoor‑entertainment, and positive‑energy content categories. The “On-the‑Scene Coverage of Wuhan” module features round‑the‑clock, real‑time broadcasts from Wuhan, showcasing iconic landmarks such as the Yangtze River Bridge, Yellow Crane Tower, and Snake Hill’s Elephant Tower, offering viewers an authentic glimpse of the city’s current situation and rallying support for its residents through virtual companionship. The “Live Updates from the Ground” module focuses on livestreaming epidemic‑prevention efforts in Wuhan, including cloud‑based construction‑site monitoring of Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals, as well as official news broadcasts produced in collaboration with media partners, promptly sharing the latest frontline developments with the public. Meanwhile, the “Epidemic Prevention Knowledge” module hosts live lectures by medical experts, helping viewers acquire scientifically sound and practical insights into disease prevention and health management.

In terms of programming, Douyu has leveraged its existing content resources from the platform’s science‑education, outdoor‑sports, and positive‑energy sections to launch a series of live‑streaming initiatives, including the “Safeguarding Angels” public‑service livestream for online companionship, educational lectures on pandemic prevention, open‑class broadcasts on scientific exercise, and a public‑interest course series aimed at helping small and medium‑sized enterprises learn online to navigate the challenges of the crisis—working hand in hand with all sectors of society to weather these difficult times. Addressing users’ most pressing concern—the issue of face masks—Douyu proactively reached out to mask manufacturers and hosted an exclusive livestream showcasing the frontline production process.

Notably, Douyu’s public‑interest initiative for online learning aimed at helping small and medium‑sized enterprises navigate the challenges of the pandemic has brought together renowned economists, management scholars, industry experts, and entrepreneurs to offer guidance and recommendations to SMEs struggling during the crisis, thereby enhancing their risk‑management capabilities and contributing to the stable functioning of the economy.

Since Douyu launched its series of anti‑epidemic livestreams, its positive‑energy, diverse content has drawn nearly ten million viewers. From January 20 to February 14, Douyu hosted more than 400 pandemic‑related livestreams across its platform, with a total viewing time of 4,100 hours. In response to the epidemic, Douyu also introduced special in‑stream gifts—such as “Wear Your Mask Properly,” “Wash Your Hands Frequently,” and “Kindness”—which netizens collectively gifted 32 million times.

Today’s Headline, Xigua Video, Douyin, and other platforms are “fighting the epidemic and helping farmers,” helping agricultural products find markets.

On February 18, the Cadre Management Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Beijing Poverty Alleviation and Support Office, China Social Poverty Alleviation Network, Toutiao, Xigua Video, and Douyin jointly launched the “United in Fighting the Epidemic, Helping Farmers from All Sides” campaign. By creating a dedicated “Fighting the Epidemic, Helping Farmers” topic section within their apps, the initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of matching supply and demand for agricultural products and help farmers across regions secure sales channels.

During the campaign, governments, agricultural enterprises, farmer cooperatives, and buyers across the country can post and access information on agricultural product supply and demand by searching #FightingTheEpidemicToHelpFarmers# on Toutiao and Xigua Video. Douyin users can join by searching the hashtag #FightingTheEpidemicToHelpFarmersInAction# within the app. In addition, users can also enter the campaign’s main page by searching the above keywords or clicking the “United in Fighting the Epidemic, Helping Farmers from All Sides” icon, where they can purchase products from poverty-stricken areas and related agricultural goods.

Since the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic, disruptions to transportation and logistics, along with the suspension of some in‑person transactions, have hindered the sale of agricultural products in many regions, leading to difficulties in purchasing groceries in certain cities. To help more farm produce reach markets, Toutiao, Xigua Video, and Douyin are leveraging their platform strengths to facilitate precise information distribution, thereby effectively matching supply with demand for agricultural goods.

At present, the initiative has officially launched. Under the “Fighting the Epidemic to Help Farmers” hashtag on Toutiao, agricultural product sales listings from numerous regions across the country have already been posted. For example, in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, 100 tons of red-skinned potatoes are urgently seeking buyers; in Jintang County, Sichuan, 900 tons of radishes have seen their sales channels disrupted due to the pandemic, leaving them unsold.

Taxation TAXATATION

The deadline for filing and paying taxes in February has been extended again to February 28.

On February 17, the State Taxation Administration, in light of the epidemic prevention and control situation, decided that, to facilitate taxpayers and withholding agents in coordinating their filing and tax payment obligations, the February filing and tax payment deadline nationwide—except in Hubei Province—would be further extended to February 28, following the earlier extension to February 24.

The State Taxation Administration has instructed tax authorities at all levels to further focus on ensuring the effective implementation of preferential policies, strengthening “non-contact” tax services, and intensifying epidemic prevention and control efforts. It has directed them to fully and faithfully enforce the newly introduced national tax policies supporting epidemic prevention and control, as well as the broader package of tax and fee reductions rolled out by the state. Authorities are also encouraged to actively expand “non-contact” tax filing and payment services, rigorously implement epidemic prevention measures in tax service halls, and strive to create a safe, efficient, and convenient environment for tax filing and payment, thereby providing stronger support for epidemic prevention and control and for the resumption of work and production by enterprises.

The State Taxation Administration has clarified that enterprises that paid relevant fees in February will receive refunds or credits in accordance with the regulations.

At a press conference held on the 20th by the State Council Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism, Wang Lujin, Deputy Director of the State Taxation Administration, stated that for some enterprises that had already paid social security and medical insurance contributions in February, refunds, offsets, or deferrals will be implemented in accordance with regulations to alleviate their operational difficulties.

On the 20th, the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism for the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic held a press conference on the phased measures to reduce or exempt enterprise social security and medical insurance contributions and to defer housing provident fund payments. In response to questions from reporters, Wang Lujin stated that, together with relevant departments, they would rigorously ensure implementation so that enterprises can promptly and concretely benefit from these policies.

At present, in 18 provinces and three municipalities directly under the central government, the collection of enterprise social security and medical insurance contributions is entrusted to the tax authorities. Wang Lujin stated that the tax authorities will provide thorough policy guidance to both payers and tax‑administration personnel. During the pandemic, they will primarily disseminate information on policies and clarify operational procedures—and address inquiries—through websites, hotlines, WeChat, and other channels. They will also conduct professional training for tax officials via video conferencing and online working platforms, further strengthening the rapid response mechanism.

Meanwhile, in accordance with the implementation plans of each province, information systems have been promptly adjusted to suit local conditions, enterprise‑type tags have been added, business processes have been streamlined and optimized, and the online filing functions of the electronic tax bureau as well as the mobile‑app‑based filing features have been enhanced. These measures enable enterprises to enjoy tax reductions and exemptions conveniently through “form‑free” and “non‑contact” procedures, while also expediting applications for deferred payments and other related services. Furthermore, inter‑departmental information sharing has been strengthened to ensure that employees’ individual rights and interests remain fully protected. For enterprises that had already made February contributions, refunds or offsets have been processed in compliance with regulations, with appropriate arrangements put in place to effectively alleviate their operational difficulties.

Ministry of Finance: Social security contributions are expected to be reduced or exempted by 600 billion yuan, with impacts remaining manageable.

On February 20, the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism held a press conference to provide details on the phased reductions and exemptions of enterprise social security and medical insurance contributions, as well as the deferral of housing provident fund payments. Vice Minister of Finance Yu Weiping stated that China’s social insurance system is currently operating smoothly overall. According to preliminary consolidated budget data for 2020, in 2019 the total revenue of the seven major social insurance funds amounted to RMB 8.1 trillion, with total expenditures of RMB 7.5 trillion, resulting in a current‑year surplus of RMB 0.6 trillion and a cumulative surplus of RMB 9.4 trillion. The recently introduced policy to reduce or exempt social insurance contributions is expected to ease the financial burden by approximately RMB 600 billion. Thus, although fund revenues have declined somewhat, the overall impact remains manageable.

“This year’s fiscal policy guideline is to continue implementing an active fiscal policy, with a strong emphasis on improving quality and efficiency and placing greater focus on structural adjustment,” Yu Weiping stated. He noted that the temporary reduction or exemption of social security contributions will, in the short term, lead to a decline in fund revenues; however, from a medium- to long-term perspective, by easing the burden on enterprises, it will help further invigorate the market. As corporate profitability improves and the tax base expands, fiscal revenue conditions are expected to gradually improve. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance will work closely with relevant departments to resolutely and meticulously implement all policies aimed at reducing or exempting social security contributions, ensuring that reductions are both substantial and fully realized, thereby boosting economic growth by alleviating the financial burden on businesses.

Yu Weiping stated that the recently introduced temporary fee‑reduction policy is expected to reduce pension revenues by 471.4 billion yuan. Although this will lead to a decline in fund income, the overall impact remains manageable, and timely, full disbursement of pensions is assured. Based on actual implementation over recent years, China’s pension insurance system has generally operated smoothly. Despite growing fiscal pressures in some regions as population aging intensifies, the accumulated surplus continues to expand. As of the end of 2019, the nationwide cumulative surplus of the basic pension insurance fund for enterprise employees had exceeded 5 trillion yuan.

“Of course, the surplus of our country’s pension insurance funds is unevenly distributed across provinces. To address this, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security have conducted detailed calculations and developed comprehensive contingency plans, with a series of measures in place to help local governments ensure that pensions are paid on time and in full,” said Yu Weiping.

First, the central government has increased its financial support for the basic old-age insurance fund. In recent years, the central budget has steadily expanded subsidies to this fund, with a particular focus on regions in the central and western parts of the country and former industrial bases where fiscal imbalances are most pronounced. From 1998 to 2019, cumulative central government subsidies to the enterprise employee basic old-age insurance fund exceeded RMB 4 trillion; in 2019 alone, RMB 526.1 billion was allocated. This year, the central government will further increase these subsidies to help local governments alleviate the revenue‑expenditure pressures arising from temporary fee reductions.

Second, we will further strengthen the central pooling of pension insurance funds. In 2018, China established a central pooling system for the basic pension insurance fund for enterprise employees. Based on its implementation, this policy has played a crucial role in effectively balancing the financial burdens across regions. In 2019, through central pooling, provinces in the central and western regions as well as those with traditional industrial bases received over 150 billion yuan in transfers. This year, the proportion of funds pooled at the central level will be further increased, and the size of the central pooling fund will expand accordingly.

Third, we will intensify efforts to transfer a portion of state-owned capital to replenish the social security fund. By the end of 2019, at the central level, four batches of transfers involving state-owned capital from 81 central enterprises and central financial institutions had been completed, totaling RMB 1.3 trillion. At the local level, such transfers are also being actively advanced. Going forward, we will work with relevant departments to carry out these transfers in a pragmatic and efficient manner.

Fourth, we will intensify efforts to reform the basic old-age insurance fund. We will advance the reform and improvement of the basic old-age insurance system, accelerate the establishment of a nationwide unified administration mechanism for basic old-age insurance, put in place a sound and rational adjustment mechanism for basic old-age pensions, strengthen institutional safeguards, and continuously enhance the system’s sustainability.

Following the introduction of phased policies to reduce or exempt enterprise social security and medical insurance contributions, how will the tax authorities ensure that businesses truly benefit? According to Wang Lujin, Deputy Director of the State Taxation Administration, at present, in 18 provinces and three municipalities directly under the central government, the collection of enterprise social security and medical insurance contributions is handled by the tax authorities. The SAT is committed to ensuring that enterprises receive the full, tangible benefits of these policies as soon as possible. The SAT and other relevant departments are expediting the issuance of policy documents in accordance with established procedures, clarifying operational guidelines, and providing guidance to provincial authorities in formulating specific implementation plans; these documents will be released shortly.

The State Taxation Administration has released a list of “contactless” online tax services, enabling 185 tax-related payment and filing matters to be handled online.

Recently, in line with the principle of “handling as much as possible online,” the State Taxation Administration has released the “List of ‘Non‑Contact’ Online Tax and Fee Services,” identifying and clarifying 185 tax‑related services that can be processed online. In addition, to address key concerns raised by taxpayers, it has compiled the “Q&A on ‘Non‑Contact’ Tax and Fee Services via the Electronic Tax Bureau,” enabling taxpayers and payers to conveniently conduct their transactions online through the Electronic Tax Bureau and other non‑contact channels.

The “Q&A on ‘Non‑Contact’ Tax Filing and Payment via the Electronic Tax Bureau,” released concurrently, provides taxpayers and payers with detailed, question-and-answer‑style guidance on the bureau’s tax‑related functions and operational procedures, offering step‑by‑step instructions for handling matters such as invoice acquisition, tax and fee filing, tax relief applications, certificate issuance, refund requests, and tax administrative licensing. For example, during the pandemic, if a taxpayer needs to obtain invoices, they can log in to the Electronic Tax Bureau, select “I Want to File Taxes,” access the “Invoice Acquisition” section to submit an invoice‑request application, and, upon approval by the tax authority, proceed to collect the invoices.

At present, we are in the February tax‑filing period, and during the pandemic, online filing has become the preferred option for most taxpayers. In Shanghai, all tax‑filing matters can be handled online, allowing taxpayers to complete their submissions from home with just a few clicks. In Beijing, staff at the First Tax Office of the Haidian District Tax Bureau note that by expanding the scope of “non‑contact” tax processing and payment services, the vast majority of transactions can now be conducted online. Meanwhile, in Guangdong, taxpayers can also apply for invoices electronically through three channels—via the Electronic Tax Bureau, a mobile app, or the “Guangdong Tax” WeChat official account—and have them delivered directly to their homes by mail.

A responsible official from the State Taxation Administration stated that the epidemic prevention and control situation remains severe and complex. The release of the “non-contact” online tax‑filing checklist and accompanying Q&A is designed to help taxpayers and payers more easily and conveniently access non‑contact services, enabling them to handle tax and fee matters more securely and efficiently. Moving forward, the tax authorities will continue to strengthen their non‑contact services by significantly expanding the scope of offerings, optimizing the online tax‑filing and payment platform, enhancing online tax‑and‑fee advisory services, and encouraging localities to build on this checklist, tailor solutions to their specific circumstances, and further enrich the range of online tax‑filing and payment options. This effort aims to shift more transactions from in‑person service halls to online channels, thereby contributing the tax sector’s strength to the fight against the epidemic.

New measures to combat tax evasion and avoidance: The French government is using AI to recover over €700 million in unpaid taxes.

According to the European Times, France’s Ministry of Economy announced that, thanks to an improved algorithm for auditing tax data, the country recovered €785 million in unpaid taxes in 2019—up 130% from €342 million in 2018—bringing total tax revenues for 2019 to over €9 billion.

According to reports, this figure is drawn from France’s 2019 report on combating tax evasion and fraud. The report was submitted on the 17th to Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet, and Public Accounts Minister Gérald Darmanin. In fact, as early as September 2019, Darmanin had already announced that, thanks to the implementation of income‑tax withholding and new information‑sharing tools, the tax authorities would recover significantly more revenue from tax evaders in 2019.

The report notes that two years ago, the French tax authorities introduced artificial intelligence algorithms, which have now yielded substantial results. In 2019, AI flagged 100,000 suspicious tax returns, and the taxes and penalties collected as a result totaled €785 million. A year ago, France’s Ministry of the Economy invested €20 million to enhance its tax‑audit information tools, an investment that has since proven highly cost‑effective.

This artificial intelligence algorithm, called CFVR—short for “Fraud Detection and Application Assessment”—was initially deployed primarily across 500 French enterprises and later expanded to cover 3,700 taxable households.

This algorithm conducts a comparative analysis of multi‑domain data—covering taxpayers’ bank accounts, tax records, real estate holdings, social security information, social subsidies, and corporate patents and trademarks—to identify potential compliance violations, such as enterprises concealing revenue, deliberately undervaluing property, or exhibiting suspicious cash flows in their bank accounts.

France also applies this “data-mining” technology to exchange information with other countries and regions, particularly so‑called “tax havens.”

According to reports, in 2019, the French tax authorities audited 450 accounts and ordered 4,000 individuals to pay back taxes. In addition to “data-mining” techniques, France is also preparing to extend its scrutiny to social media platforms and certain websites that facilitate private financial transactions, seeking to uncover evidence of suspected tax evasion.

LITIGATION & ARBITRATION

The Supreme People’s Court has issued a notice on strengthening and standardizing online litigation to provide robust judicial support for epidemic prevention and control.

To thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important instructions on epidemic prevention and control, effectively contain the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, safeguard the lives and health of the people, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of all parties, the Supreme People’s Court recently issued the “Notice on Strengthening and Standardizing Online Litigation During the Prevention and Control of COVID‑19” (hereinafter referred to as the “Notice”), providing robust judicial support for epidemic response. The Notice comprehensively mobilizes courts nationwide to advance online litigation, sets forth clear requirements, and establishes specific rules, thereby guiding and regulating the orderly conduct of online litigation by people’s courts at all levels during the pandemic.

The Notice requires people’s courts at all levels to elevate their political awareness, fully recognize the grave situation of epidemic prevention and control, and earnestly strengthen their sense of responsibility and urgency. Grounded in their adjudicatory functions, they are to strive to serve and safeguard the overall effort to contain the epidemic. They are to regard the vigorous promotion of online litigation as a key measure for resolutely winning the people’s war, the total war, and the blocking‑operation against the epidemic, actively leveraging online litigation platforms such as China Mobile’s Weifayuan, the Litigation Service Network, and the 12368 Litigation Service Hotline, and comprehensively conducting online activities—including case filing, mediation, evidence exchange, court hearings, judgment pronouncements, and service of process—so as to effectively meet the public’s judicial needs during the epidemic response and ensure the smooth and orderly operation of the people’s courts’ adjudicatory work.

The Notice emphasizes that people’s courts at all levels, in advancing online litigation, must fully safeguard the lawful litigation rights and interests of the parties, respect their right to choose the mode of case handling, and provide comprehensive and accurate information on the rights, obligations, and legal consequences of online proceedings. People’s courts at all levels are required to actively guide all litigation participants to conduct online litigation activities in a lawful and orderly manner, vigorously refine online processing procedures and rules of online litigation, and formulate and issue comprehensive, clearly instructive, and user-friendly operational guidelines for online litigation; however, such provisions must not contravene existing laws or judicial interpretations.

The Notice clarifies the rules governing online litigation. First, it standardizes online identity verification to ensure the authenticity of all parties’ identities and achieve consistent matching among individuals, cases, and accounts. Second, it regulates online case filing, requiring people’s courts to review online filings within seven days of receipt and, where the filings comply with legal requirements, to promptly register and accept the cases. Third, it vigorously promotes online mediation, urging people’s courts at all levels to leverage online platforms for diversified dispute resolution to intensify efforts to resolve conflicts during the epidemic prevention and control period. Fourth, it standardizes the submission of litigation materials: when parties submit materials electronically, they need not provide paper originals once the materials have been reviewed and approved by the people’s court; the court shall provide platform support and technical facilitation for such electronic submissions. Fifth, it regulates online court hearings, requiring people’s courts at all levels to determine whether to conduct hearings online based on factors such as technological capabilities, the nature of the case, and the parties’ preferences, while specifying circumstances in which online hearings are not applicable. Sixth, it standardizes online adjudication, permitting judges who meet the requisite conditions to remotely access electronic case files, deliberate in collegial panels, and draft and submit judicial documents. Seventh, it expands the use of electronic service, clearly defining the conditions for its application, the methods of service, and the criteria for its legal effect. Eighth, it strengthens online litigation services, mandating that people’s courts comprehensively upgrade their online litigation service platforms, broaden the scope of online services, and ensure that parties can access comprehensive litigation services without leaving their homes.

The Notice sets forth specific requirements for courts at all levels regarding the organization and implementation of online litigation, emphasizing that courts at every level must strengthen their principal responsibility, clarify working mechanisms, and enhance information‑technology infrastructure, so as to make online case handling a normalized practice during the epidemic prevention and control period. The Notice also lays out special provisions for the online litigation work of the three Internet Courts in Hangzhou, Beijing, and Guangzhou, stressing the need to intensify exploration, elevate the level of intelligent adjudication, refine electronic litigation rules, and effectively establish substantive norms for internet‑based judicial governance, thereby fully leveraging their leading and exemplary role in conceptual, technological, and institutional innovation.

Sun Xiaoguo has been executed.

In accordance with the execution order issued by the Supreme People’s Court, the Intermediate People’s Court of Kunming City, Yunnan Province, carried out the death sentence against the convict Sun Xiaoguo on the 20th.

In December 1995, Sun Xiaoguo was sentenced by the People’s Court of Panlong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, to three years’ imprisonment for the crime of rape. After the judgment became final, his parents forged medical records to secure his illegal release on medical parole, resulting in Sun Xiaoguo remaining at large despite having been convicted. During this period of unlawful medical parole, from April to November 1997, he committed additional offenses, including rape, forcible indecent assault on women, intentional injury, and provoking trouble. In February 1998, the Intermediate People’s Court of Kunming City handed down a first-instance verdict, imposing multiple concurrent sentences and sentencing him to death, with deprivation of political rights for life. Following a second-instance review, the Higher People’s Court of Yunnan Province, in March 1999, revised the sentence, commuting the death penalty to a two-year reprieve and maintaining lifelong deprivation of political rights. Subsequently, after the judgment became final, the Higher People’s Court of Yunnan Province issued a retrial decision in September 2007, reducing Sun Xiaoguo’s sentence to twenty years’ imprisonment.

In light of findings that, during the original trial, the adjudicating personnel were suspected of accepting bribes and engaging in favoritism and malfeasance, and that the legally effective judgment had indeed erred in both its findings of fact and its application of the law, the Yunnan Provincial Higher People’s Court issued a decision on July 18, 2019, to retry the portion of the case involving the crimes of the original defendant, Sun Xiaoguo. On October 14 of the same year, the court conducted a lawful public trial of the case.

During the retrial of this case, the Intermediate People’s Court of Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, in its first-instance judgment, found that after his release from prison in April 2010, Sun Xiaoguo committed the crimes of organizing and leading a triad-like organization, running a casino, provoking trouble, unlawful detention, intentional injury, obstructing testimony, and bribery. Applying cumulative sentencing, the court sentenced him to twenty-five years’ imprisonment, deprived him of political rights for five years, and ordered the confiscation of all his personal property. Following the pronouncement of the sentence, Sun Xiaoguo appealed, dissatisfied with the ruling. The Higher People’s Court of Yunnan Province, in its second-instance review, upheld the original conviction and sentence. On December 23, 2019, the Higher People’s Court of Yunnan Province publicly pronounced its judgment in accordance with the law, afofficeing the conviction and sentence imposed by the Intermediate People’s Court of Kunming in its 1998 first-instance judgment, and merging these with the penalties imposed for Sun Xiaoguo’s newly committed offenses. The court accordingly decided to impose the death penalty, deprive him of political rights for life, and confiscate all his personal property, and duly submitted the case to the Supreme People’s Court for approval. After reviewing the case, the Supreme People’s Court issued a ruling on February 12, 2020, approving the Higher People’s Court of Yunnan Province’s decision to carry out the death penalty against Sun Xiaoguo, deprive him of political rights for life, and confiscate all his personal property.

The Supreme People’s Court, upon review, found that Sun Xiaoguo’s rape offenses were characterized by particularly grave circumstances or aggravating factors, including raping multiple women, engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor, abducting and raping a minor in a public place, unlawfully restricting personal freedom, committing rape in public, and being a recidivist. The methods employed by Sun Xiaoguo were extremely brutal, the circumstances of the crimes were exceptionally heinous, the consequences were exceedingly severe, his subjective malice was profound, and the danger he poses to society is immense; accordingly, he should be severely punished in accordance with the law. The Yunnan Provincial Higher People’s Court’s retrial judgment established the facts clearly, with evidence that is both solid and sufficient, rendered an accurate conviction, imposed an appropriate sentence, and followed lawful trial procedures; moreover, the imposition of a combined sentence with the penalty for the newly committed offense was entirely proper.

Prior to the execution, the Intermediate People’s Court of Kunming City, in accordance with the law, arranged for the convict Sun Xiaoguo to meet with his close relatives, thereby fully safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of the person subject to execution.

The second-instance verdict in Sun Wenbin’s intentional homicide appeal has been delivered, upholding the first-instance death sentence.

On February 14, the Beijing Higher People’s Court held a public second-instance trial in the intentional homicide case involving Sun Wenbin, which occurred at the Beijing Civil Aviation General Hospital, and delivered its verdict on the spot. The court ruled to dismiss Sun Wenbin’s appeal, upholding the original sentence, and duly submitted his death sentence to the Supreme People’s Court for approval in accordance with the law.

On January 16, 2020, the Third Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing conducted a public first-instance trial in the case of intentional homicide involving the defendant Sun Wenbin and delivered its verdict on the spot, finding Sun Wenbin guilty of intentional homicide and sentencing him to death, with deprivation of political rights for life. Following the first-instance judgment, Sun Wenbin, dissatisfied with the ruling, filed an appeal.

The Beijing Higher People’s Court, in its second-instance review, held that the facts found by the first-instance judgment were clearly established, the evidence was solid and sufficient, the conviction was accurate, the sentence was appropriate, and the trial procedures were lawful; accordingly, it rendered the aforementioned ruling in accordance with the law.

Incident Summary: On December 4, 2019, Sun Wenbin and his relatives took his mother, Sun Weishi, to the Civil Aviation General Hospital for treatment. Dissatisfied with the medical care provided to his mother by Dr. Yang Wen, Sun Wenbin harbored resentment and sought revenge. At approximately 6:00 a.m. on December 24, 2019, while in the emergency resuscitation room, Sun Wenbin repeatedly slashed and stabbed Dr. Yang Wen’s neck with a pre‑prepared sharp knife, resulting in Dr. Yang’s death. Following the crime, Sun Wenbin turned himself in to the police and was subsequently apprehended by public security authorities.

Two departments: Eligible personnel who died in the line of duty after contracting COVID-19 shall be recognized as martyrs.

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission recently jointly issued the “Notice on Properly Commending Those Who Sacrificed Themselves in the Prevention and Control of COVID‑19,” requiring all localities and departments to ensure that those who died while engaged in epidemic prevention and control are appropriately honored as martyrs. Individuals who meet the criteria for martyr status shall be recognized (approved) as martyrs.

The notice states that, in the course of COVID‑19 prevention and control, medical personnel and epidemic‑prevention workers who, by directly contacting suspected or conofficeed cases or by undertaking duties such as diagnosis, treatment, nursing, hospital infection control, specimen collection, pathogen testing, or transporting COVID‑19 patients, contract COVID‑19 while performing their assigned responsibilities and sacrifice their lives, or who otherwise make the ultimate sacrifice, shall be recognized (approved) as martyrs if they meet the criteria for martyr status.

In accordance with the requirements of the notice, local personnel who participated in epidemic prevention and control efforts shall be assessed in accordance with the Regulations on Commendation of Martyrs. For medical rescue personnel dispatched from various localities to Hubei who have died in the line of duty, the assessment shall be conducted by the provincial people’s government where the sending organization is located. Military personnel and civilian personnel employed by the military who took part in epidemic prevention and control shall be approved by the relevant military authorities in accordance with applicable regulations.

At the same time, relevant departments should maintain close communication with the joint prevention and control mechanism (leading group or command center) for responding to the COVID‑19 pandemic, providing one‑on‑one, end-to‑end guidance to ensure that application procedures are properly carried out; they should streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and conduct assessments (approvals) in a timely manner; moreover, they should adopt innovative approaches and make full use of information technology to both ensure the smooth implementation of tasks and minimize the risk of infection due to mass gatherings.

The notice emphasizes the need to effectively implement policies on preferential treatment and compensation, promptly disbursing martyr commendation allowances and survivor benefits, and actively organizing visits of condolence and the display of honor plaques, thereby appropriately addressing the practical difficulties faced by the families of martyrs. Work related to preferential treatment and compensation should be carried out in suitable forms, taking into account the local epidemic prevention and control situation. In areas severely affected by the pandemic, it is essential to regularly and flexibly monitor the physical and psychological well-being of martyr families and the challenges they encounter, and to provide targeted psychological counseling and tailored support services.

Other

Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss COVID-19 prevention and control efforts.

On February 21, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting to review COVID‑19 prevention and control efforts and to make arrangements for coordinating epidemic response with economic and social development. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

On February 19, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, heard a report on epidemic prevention and control, deliberated measures to coordinate epidemic response with economic and social development, and decided to submit relevant proposals for consideration at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The meeting noted that, since the outbreak of COVID‑19, the CPC Central Committee has attached great importance to the situation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has closely monitored the epidemic, treating its prevention and control as the top priority, personally directing and deploying efforts, and putting forward the overarching principles of bolstering confidence, working together in solidarity, pursuing science‑based prevention and treatment, and implementing targeted measures. The CPC Central Committee promptly formulated policies and guidelines for epidemic control, ensuring that these efforts were carried out effectively and in an orderly manner, and resolutely curbing the spread of the virus. It strengthened guidance for Hubei Province and Wuhan, mobilizing the entire nation to provide support, while coordinating and advancing prevention and control work in other regions. Emergency supplies of medical materials and essential daily necessities were ramped up to fully meet the needs of epidemic response. Efforts were made to maintain normal economic and social order and ensure social stability. China’s epidemic‑control efforts have received broad support from the international community, showcasing the country’s image as a responsible major power.

The meeting emphasized that, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and through the concerted efforts of the entire Party, the armed forces, and all ethnic groups across the country, the spread of the epidemic has been brought under preliminary control, and epidemic prevention and control work has achieved phased results. Nationwide, the number of newly conofficeed cases and suspected cases is generally trending downward, while the number of patients discharged after recovery is increasing rapidly; in particular, the number of new cases outside Hubei Province has declined sharply. At the same time, it must be clearly recognized that the turning point in the national epidemic has not yet arrived, and the situation in Hubei Province and Wuhan City remains grave and complex. Party committees and governments at all levels must implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee on epidemic prevention and control, maintain unwavering vigilance in this work, promptly refine prevention and control strategies and measures, continuously consolidate achievements, expand gains, and secure a comprehensive victory in the people’s war, total war, and blocking operation against the epidemic.

The meeting emphasized the need to refine differentiated prevention and control strategies tailored to the specific conditions of different regions. It called for resolutely winning the battles to defend Hubei and Wuhan, officely curbing the spread of the epidemic, and continuing to intensify medical treatment efforts. Support for medical personnel and medical supplies should be further scaled up as needed, with enhanced measures in areas where resources remain insufficient. All efforts must be devoted to Beijing’s epidemic prevention and control work. A targeted, tiered, and region-specific approach should be implemented in non‑key areas. Frontline medical workers must be shown care and concern; medical resources and critical supplies should be allocated rationally, and safeguards for protective gear and daily necessities, along with compliance with preventive measures, must be strengthened. Production and supply of medical supplies and essential goods should continue to be prioritized, with priority given to meeting the needs of key regions.

The meeting emphasized that although the COVID‑19 pandemic has had a significant impact on economic performance, China’s economy possesses tremendous resilience and potential, and its long-term upward trajectory remains unchanged. It is essential to coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, unswervingly implement the new development philosophy, deepen supply-side structural reform, win the three critical battles, and comprehensively advance the “six stabilizations” initiatives. By harnessing the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of all sectors, we must minimize the pandemic’s adverse effects, strive to achieve the year‑long goals for economic and social development, secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, deliver a final blow to poverty alleviation, and successfully conclude the 13th Five-Year Plan.

The meeting emphasized the need to establish an economic and social operating order that is compatible with epidemic prevention and control, to steadily resume work and production, and to ensure the orderly flow of people, goods, and capital, thereby keeping the economy and society running smoothly. It called for the formulation of clear, tiered criteria for classifying regions based on their epidemic risk levels. In resuming work and production, transportation must take the lead; it is imperative to unblock major transport arteries and ensure the smooth functioning of local circulation networks. Party committees and governments at all levels should proactively provide services, organize the cross‑regional return of workers in an orderly manner, and make every effort to meet the daily protective‑supplies needs of enterprises that have already resumed operations or are preparing to do so.

The meeting emphasized the need to unswervingly win the three critical battles. It called for ensuring the on-schedule, comprehensive completion of poverty alleviation efforts, prioritizing the resumption of employment for rural migrant workers in impoverished areas, and providing targeted assistance to households that have fallen into or relapsed into poverty due to the pandemic. It also stressed the importance of winning the battle against pollution, driving continuous improvements in ecological and environmental quality, and accelerating efforts to address shortcomings in the collection and treatment of medical and hazardous waste. Finally, it underscored the need to fortify the fight to prevent and defuse major risks, officely safeguarding the bottom line of preventing systemic financial risks.

The meeting emphasized that proactive fiscal policy should be even more vigorous and effective, with policy-based finance playing a key role. Prudent monetary policy should be more flexible and appropriately calibrated to alleviate difficulties and high costs of financing, providing targeted financial support for epidemic prevention and control, the resumption of work and production, and the development of the real economy. Greater assistance should be extended to key industries and small and medium-sized enterprises, ensuring that relief measures are implemented precisely and proactively, staying ahead of struggling businesses. Support should be directed toward sectors severely affected by the pandemic, including accommodation and catering, culture, sports and entertainment, transportation, and tourism. Efforts must also be made to ensure stable agricultural production and supply, while diligently preparing for spring plowing and strengthening disaster prevention and mitigation in agriculture.

The meeting emphasized the need to proactively expand effective demand, boost consumption recovery and unlock latent potential, and leverage the pivotal role of sound investment by accelerating the launch of new projects and expediting progress on ongoing ones. It also called for strengthening support for the research and development of reagents, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines, and for speeding up the development of biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, 5G networks, and the industrial internet.

The meeting emphasized the need to deepen opening-up and international cooperation. It called for strengthening communication and coordination with economic and trade partners, prioritizing the resumption of production and supply by leading enterprises and critical links that play a pivotal role in global supply chains, and safeguarding the stability of these chains. Support should be provided to key export-oriented enterprises to resume work and production as soon as possible, while fully leveraging the role of export credit insurance. From the perspective of building a community with a shared future for mankind, proactive efforts must be made to advance international cooperation on pandemic prevention and control.

The meeting emphasized the need to strengthen social safety-net measures to safeguard people’s basic livelihoods. It called for the effective implementation of employment‑first policies, the encouragement of flexible forms of employment, and targeted efforts to support employment among key groups. Measures should be reinforced to ensure basic living standards for urban residents facing hardship, while maintaining stable supplies and prices of essential goods. Support must also be provided to those who have fallen into poverty due to the pandemic and lack family support. Furthermore, timely condolences and compensation should be extended to medical personnel, government officials, and community workers who died in the line of duty during epidemic prevention and control, with appropriate care given to their families.

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