JC Master Legal News Issue 1008

Key Takeaways for This Issue

The Measures for Listed Companies on the Beijing Stock Exchange to Transfer to the STAR Market and the ChiNext Board Have Been Issued.
In order to further refine and implement the “Guiding Opinions of the China Securities Regulatory Commission on the Transfer of Listed Companies from the Beijing Stock Exchange,” and to standardize matters related to the review and listing arrangements for listed companies of the Beijing Stock Exchange seeking to transfer to the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (hereinafter referred to as “this Exchange”), this Exchange has revised the “Measures for the Transfer and Listing of Companies Listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotation System to the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (Trial)” (see attachment) and renamed it the “Measures for the Transfer of Listed Companies from the Beijing Stock Exchange to the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (Trial).”
The People’s Bank of China: Implement city-specific policies to foster a healthy cycle and sound development of the real estate sector.
　On March 1, the People’s Bank of China convened a televised conference on financial market work for 2022. The meeting thoroughly studied the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the successive plenary sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and the Central Economic Work Conference, implemented the requirements of the 2022 Work Conference of the People’s Bank of China, reviewed the bank’s financial market and credit policy work in 2021, and outlined key priorities for 2022. Pan Gongsheng, member of the Party Committee and Vice Governor of the People’s Bank of China, attended the meeting and delivered a speech, while Liu Guiping, also a member of the Party Committee and Vice Governor, chaired the session.
Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises have once again received tax relief support.
Recently, the State Taxation Administration and the Ministry of Finance issued an announcement clarifying that small, medium, and micro-sized manufacturing enterprises will continue to defer payment of certain taxes and fees for the fourth quarter of 2021, as well as for the first and second quarters of 2022. Experts believe that this tax‑relief policy, which has drawn close attention from SMEs, will help foster steady growth in the industrial economy and support the development of small, medium, and micro‑sized manufacturing offices.

The Supreme People’s Court, the All-China Women’s Federation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, and five other departments have jointly issued the “Opinions on Strengthening the Implementation of the Personal Safety Protection Order System.”
On March 5, 2022, the Supreme People’s Court, in collaboration with the All-China Women’s Federation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Health Commission, jointly issued the “Opinions on Strengthening the Implementation of the Personal Safety Protection Order System” (hereinafter referred to as the “Opinions”).

Finance & Capital Markets
What major financial signals did the Government Work Report send out regarding the comprehensive registration-based system and the Financial Stability Guarantee Fund?
On March 5, the Fifth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress opened in Beijing, where Premier Li Keqiang delivered the Government Work Report, outlining the overall work plan for the next phase.
The report sets forth that this year’s main development targets are GDP growth of around 5.5% and a consumer price index increase of approximately 3%. Premier Li Keqiang emphasized that, to achieve this year’s development goals, macro policies must be prudent and effective, while micro policies should continue to invigorate market entities. He further stated that this year’s work must prioritize stability while seeking progress within that framework. In the face of new downward pressures, ensuring stable growth must be given even greater prominence.
With “stability” as the overarching principle, how will fiscal, tax, and financial reforms be advanced in 2022? How can risks in the economic and financial sectors be effectively mitigated? And in what ways will finance support the real economy?
Fully implement the stock issuance registration system.
The Government Work Report states that we will advance reforms of the fiscal, tax, and financial systems; strengthen and improve financial regulation; deepen reforms of the equity structure and corporate governance of small and medium-sized banks; and accelerate the disposal of non‑performing assets. We will also refine mechanisms to support bond financing for private enterprises, fully implement a registration-based system for stock issuance, and promote the stable and sound development of the capital market.
This marks the first time that “fully implementing the stock issuance registration system” has appeared in the Government Work Report.
In 2019, the Government Work Report for the first time proposed “establishing the STAR Market and piloting the registration-based system”; in 2020, the requirement regarding the registration system was to “reform the ChiNext Board and pilot the registration-based system”; and in 2021, the Government Work Report called for “steadily advancing the reform of the registration-based system.”
Yan Hong, Academic Vice Dean and Professor of Finance at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, told Interface News that the implementation of the registration-based system marks a major milestone for China’s capital market, shifting it from a financing‑oriented marketplace to one centered on investors—a fundamental transformation in the underlying philosophy governing the entire capital market.
Yan Hong stated that transformation requires time for adaptation and adjustment; therefore, the key to the next phase of fully rolling out the registration-based system lies in further refining the relevant institutions and mechanisms to ensure its effective implementation. During the process of implementing the registration system, how to better leverage market functions, strengthen the exchange’s and regulators’ market oversight and disciplinary mechanisms, and safeguard the substantive outcomes of the registration system remain issues that warrant continued study.
Yang Delong, chief economist at Qianhai Open Source Securities, stated that the STAR Market and the ChiNext Board have already achieved initial success. He added that, when the time is right, a registration-based system should be introduced on the main board to facilitate the listing of more new‑economy enterprises, thereby driving economic transformation and providing strong support for this shift. At the same time, by rigorously enforcing the new delisting rules, the market can ensure survival of the fittest, maintain a steady flow of fresh capital, enable high‑quality companies to list promptly, and allow underperforming offices to exit the market in a timely manner, thus fostering the long-term healthy development of the capital market.
Promote financial institutions to lower actual loan interest rates.
The Government Work Report emphasizes strengthening effective financial support for the real economy. It calls for making full use of inclusive small and micro‑loan support tools, increasing re-lending to agriculture and small businesses, optimizing regulatory assessments, and driving a significant increase in inclusive small and micro‑loans while continuing to raise the share of credit loans and first-time borrowers.
Guide financial institutions to accurately implement credit policies, continue providing financing support to enterprises in sectors severely affected by the pandemic, and prevent industry-wide restrictions on lending, loan withdrawals, or outright loan terminations. Fully leverage the roles of policy-based and development-oriented finance. Promote the sharing of enterprise-related credit information, accelerate the integration of data among tax, customs, electricity, and other agencies with financial institutions, expand the coverage of government-backed financing guarantees for small and micro enterprises, and strive to foster a favorable financing environment, thereby further addressing the financing challenges faced by the real economy, particularly small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises.
It is worth noting that the 2022 Government Work Report did not set a specific growth target for small and micro enterprise loans, but instead called for “substantially increasing inclusive small and micro loans while continuing to raise the share of credit loans and first-time borrowers.”
On monetary policy, the report notes that efforts will be intensified to unblock the transmission mechanism of monetary policy, steer more funds toward key sectors and areas of weakness, and expand the reach of inclusive finance.
Promote financial institutions to lower actual loan interest rates and reduce fees, ensuring that market entities clearly experience improved access to financing and a tangible decline in their overall financing costs.
Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at China Merchants Bank Financial Technology, believes that the absence of a specific growth target for large banks’ inclusive small and micro‑loan portfolios at the national level suggests that the next phase of policy efforts should focus on establishing a long-term institutional framework.
He further suggested that relevant authorities could explore separately categorizing individual business loans within inclusive small and micro‑enterprise lending for statistical purposes and subjecting them to independent performance assessments, thereby encouraging financial institutions to strengthen their support and services. Fiscal departments and local governments should refine incentive‑and‑constraint mechanisms, as well as risk‑sharing and burden‑allocation frameworks, by rewarding small and medium‑sized financial institutions with large outstanding balances and high shares of individual business loans, and by compensating these institutions for non‑performing loans at a specified rate. Meanwhile, government‑backed financing guarantee institutions should establish green channels to enhance their efficiency and capacity in serving individual businesses.
Establish a Financial Stability Guarantee Fund
The Government Work Report states that risk management in the economic and financial sectors will continue to be carried out in accordance with the fundamental principles of maintaining overall stability, ensuring coordinated planning, adopting tailored policies, and defusing risks with precision. Local governments will be held accountable for their respective jurisdictions, regulatory authorities will fulfill their supervisory duties, and enterprises will assume primary responsibility. Efforts will be strengthened to enhance risk early‑warning systems, prevention and control mechanisms, and institutional capacity; a Financial Stability Guarantee Fund will be established; and market‑based, rule‑of‑law approaches will be employed to address potential risks, thereby officely safeguarding the bottom line of preventing systemic risks.
Yang Delong, chief economist at Qianhai Open Source Securities, stated that establishing a Financial Stability Guarantee Fund is an important measure to stabilize the development of the financial market. It can help prevent sudden, sharp market declines that might trigger systemic financial risks and undermine economic growth, thereby boosting market confidence.
Lian Ping, Chief Economist and Dean of the Research Institute at ZhiXin Investment, as well as Chairman of the China Chief Economists Forum, believes that establishing a Financial Stability Guarantee Fund—by allocating a substantial pool of fiscal resources and employing market‑based, rule‑of‑law approaches to defuse potential risks—will help maintain overall stability, enable targeted risk mitigation, and reduce the adverse impacts of both domestic and external shocks on the steady functioning of the domestic economy.
Lian Ping argues that, given the rapidly evolving international economic landscape—marked by sharp energy price volatility triggered by geopolitical tensions and heightened expectations of Federal Reserve rate hikes—along with domestic triple pressures and the imperative of epidemic prevention and control, the Report has established a fundamental policy framework: to continue upholding the principles of safeguarding overall stability, ensuring coordinated planning, adopting differentiated measures, and precisely defusing risks, thereby effectively managing risks in the economic and financial sectors.
He believes that in 2022, potential risks may include: energy import shocks and imported inflationary pressures; the possibility of temporary capital outflows triggered by Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes; risks associated with local governments’ implicit debt; and risks stemming from real estate cash-flow and debt issues.

The Measures for Listed Companies on the Beijing Stock Exchange to Transfer to the STAR Market and the ChiNext Board Have Been Issued.
Notice on the Issuance of the “Measures for the Transfer of Listed Companies from the Beijing Stock Exchange to the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (Trial)”
SSE Document No. 34 [2022]
To all market participants:
In order to further refine and implement the “Guiding Opinions of the China Securities Regulatory Commission on the Transfer of Listed Companies from the Beijing Stock Exchange,” and to standardize matters such as the review and listing procedures for listed companies of the Beijing Stock Exchange seeking to transfer to the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (hereinafter referred to as “this Exchange”), this Exchange has revised the “Measures for the Transfer Listing of Companies Listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotation System to the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (Trial)” (see attachment) and renamed it the “Measures for the Transfer Listing of Listed Companies of the Beijing Stock Exchange to the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (Trial).” These measures are hereby promulgated and shall take effect from the date of promulgation.
The “Measures for the Transfer Listing of Companies Listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotation System to the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (Trial)” (SSE Document No. 17 [2021]), issued by this exchange on February 26, 2021, is hereby repealed simultaneously. Prior to the opening of the Beijing Stock Exchange, applications submitted by companies previously listed on the Select Tier of the National Equities Exchange and Quotation System to transfer and list on the STAR Market of this exchange shall continue to be governed by the aforementioned “Measures.”
This is to notify you.

The revised Measures for the Tiered Administration of the New Third Board have been officially released.
With the launch of the Beijing Stock Exchange, the New Third Board’s Basic Tier and Innovation Tier will assume new functional roles, primarily serving as a “reserve pool” for companies seeking to list on the Beijing Stock Exchange, a “training camp” for standardized corporate development, and a “stabilizer” for the market ecosystem. As of March 4, the New Third Board had a total of 6,888 listed companies, including 1,216 in the Innovation Tier and 5,672 in the Basic Tier.
Optimize the frequency of tier upgrades
This revision of the “Tiered Management Measures” introduces adjustments to the eligibility criteria for entering the Innovation Tier, the frequency of tier upgrades, and the procedures for downgrading, among other aspects. The key changes encompass five main areas:
First, the financial criteria for advancing to higher tiers have been optimized to enhance the quality of companies in the Innovation Tier. The relevant indicators have been calibrated to better reflect the recent performance of listed companies, while maintaining a clear gradient relative to the listing requirements of the Beijing Stock Exchange. Specifically, the net profit threshold has been moderately lowered, and the return on equity requirement has been relaxed; the revenue growth criterion has been adjusted by increasing the absolute revenue level while reducing the required growth rate; a new R&D‑related standard has been introduced, with corresponding requirements for funding and market capitalization; and, under the market‑trading criteria, the minimum market capitalization threshold has been appropriately reduced, while trading‑volume metrics have been added for auction‑based companies and the number of market makers required has been lowered for market‑making offices.
Second, non‑financial requirements have been adjusted to align with the market’s tiered, progressive structure. The requirement that there be at least 50 qualified investors has been removed, respecting companies’ autonomy in determining the distribution of equity and the timing of such arrangements, thereby sharpening the focus on the hierarchical positioning of attracting high‑quality enterprises and nurturing a pipeline of listing candidates. Convertible bonds have also been included in the calculation of the total proceeds from issuance, encouraging companies to make full use of diversified financing instruments.
Third, we have optimized the frequency of tier‑upgrading events to help companies plan their financing strategies more effectively. Throughout the year, six upgrading windows are scheduled: two monthly sessions from February to June in the first half, and one session in September in the second half. This arrangement enables companies to manage their annual report disclosures, equity financings, entry into the Innovation Tier, and preparations for an IPO in a more deliberate and orderly manner. For companies planning to move to the Innovation Tier in September, to ensure stringent quality control and prevent a sudden deterioration in financial performance shortly after upgrading, we have introduced additional requirements: interim reports must be audited by an accounting office, and both operating revenue and net profit must not decline year over year.
Fourth, strengthen regulatory requirements and ensure that all parties assume their respective responsibilities. Specifically, during the restructuring of the Innovation Layer, listed companies and sponsoring securities offices are required to conduct self‑examinations and verification, thereby reinforcing a sense of accountability and safeguarding the compliance standards of Innovation‑Layer companies. For entities found to have engaged in practices such as misappropriation of funds or unauthorized guarantees, they must “rectify the issues first before advancing to the next tier.”
Fifth, we will strictly enforce delisting procedures and promptly remove companies that are no longer suitable for listing on the Innovation Board. In terms of circumstances, we will extend the review period for financial indicators and introduce a more stringent minimum revenue threshold; additionally, we will establish specific grounds for downgrading companies with materially inaccurate financial reporting or serious violations of laws and regulations. Procedurally, we will standardize the implementation process: once a delisting circumstance is identified, processing will be initiated within five trading days, further enhancing timeliness.
Addressing Market Concerns
In connection with this revision, several issues of particular interest to the market have been addressed by the National Equities Exchange and Quotations Company.
For example, does the adjustment of tiered admission criteria amount to a relaxation of the eligibility requirements for advancing to the Innovation Tier?
The National Equities Exchange and Quotations Company stated that the adjustment to the tier‑entry criteria is not a mere relaxation of the requirements for advancing to the Innovation Tier; rather, it reflects a comprehensive assessment and integrated optimization of all indicators, taking into account the current tiering framework and market development trends. Among the various entry standards, some indicators have been increased while others have been reduced, with corresponding adjustments to their thresholds, ensuring that the criteria better align with the recent performance of listed companies. At the same time, these changes create a clear gradient relative to the listing requirements of the Beijing Stock Exchange, thereby strengthening the integrated development between the two markets.
Furthermore, what are the considerations behind reducing the number of market makers and abolishing the 50‑shareholder requirement?
According to the National Equities Exchange and Quotations Company, since its implementation in 2016, the New Third Board’s tiered system has stipulated that a minimum of six market makers is required to meet the market capitalization threshold for advancing to a higher tier. In practice, the number of market makers a company maintains depends on the mutual willingness of both the listed company and the market makers, and is also influenced by various factors such as market conditions, necessitating dynamic adjustments based on market performance. At present, listed companies with four or more market makers have already attained a certain level of market recognition. This revision, by lowering the minimum requirement for the number of market makers, further aims to guide and encourage listed companies to adopt the market-making trading model at the regulatory level.
The National Equities Exchange and Quotations Company stated that, during the consultation process, all market participants expressed support for abolishing the requirement that a qualified investor pool comprise at least 50 investors. There are three main reasons: First, following the adjustment of the Innovation Layer’s functional positioning, its focus has shifted to identifying and systematically nurturing potentially high-quality companies, thereby building a robust pipeline of candidates for the Beijing Stock Exchange; thus, the number of qualified investors is no longer a key determinant of quality. Second, a significant number of companies do not meet the 50‑investor threshold, yet many of them are of excellent quality—however, most high‑quality enterprises lack the intention to disperse their equity prior to listing. Third, eliminating the 50‑investor requirement would effectively reduce the risk of irregular practices, such as last‑minute “headcount‑padding,” undertaken by listed companies in preparation for moving up to a higher tier.
The National Equities Exchange and Quotations Company stated that strengthening the coordinated, integrated development of the New Third Board’s Basic Tier, Innovation Tier, and the Beijing Stock Exchange is a key objective of this revision. This is reflected in three main aspects: first, the criteria for advancing from the Innovation Tier to the Beijing Stock Exchange have been more closely aligned, creating a tiered structure of progressive advancement; second, the procedures for moving between tiers within the Innovation Tier have been made more flexible, enabling companies to better plan their capital market strategies, including tier upgrades and listings; and third, the quality of companies in the Innovation Tier is more rigorously safeguarded, with a requirement that violations be rectified before tier advancement, effectively preventing “sick” companies from entering the tier and ensuring a steady stream of high‑quality enterprises to the Beijing Stock Exchange.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has revised the IPO issuance criteria, stipulating that issuers must have been in continuous operation for at least three years.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has further refined the Measures for the Administration of Initial Public Offerings and Listings (hereinafter referred to as the “Measures”).
On March 4, the China Securities Regulatory Commission issued an announcement stating that, in order to improve the capital market’s foundational institutional framework, effectively safeguard fair competition, and enhance the openness and transparency of issuance and listing processes, it plans to amend the relevant Measures.
With respect to the amendments, the CSRC stated that it proposes to revise Article 9, Paragraph 1 of the current Measures to read: “Since its establishment as a joint-stock company, the issuer shall have maintained continuous operations for no less than three years.”
It is understood that, prior to the amendment, Article 9, Paragraph 1 of the Measures provided: “After a joint-stock company is established, the issuer shall have been in continuous operation for no less than three years, unless otherwise approved by the State Council.”
With respect to this amendment, the China Securities Regulatory Commission stated that its primary objectives are to ensure the rigorous enforcement of regulatory rules, uphold a fair and competitive market environment, treat all types of ownership entities equally, and enable the capital market to better support the high-quality development of the real economy.
The CSRC further stated that the overarching principle behind the revision of the Measures is to maintain the existing stock issuance approval system for the Shanghai and Shenzhen main boards, while harmonizing the application of the three-year establishment requirement for issuers across the main board, the STAR Market, and the ChiNext Board.
Overall, following this revision, the Measures retain their original structure, which remains divided into six chapters—General Provisions, Issuance Conditions, Issuance Procedures, Information Disclosure, Supervision and Penalties, and Supplementary Provisions—comprising a total of 59 articles.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission stated that the deadline for submitting comments is March 18.

Commercial & Corporate
The People’s Bank of China: Implement city-specific policies to foster a healthy cycle and sound development of the real estate sector.
On March 1, the People’s Bank of China convened a televised conference on financial market work for 2022. The meeting thoroughly studied the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the plenary sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and the Central Economic Work Conference, implemented the requirements of the 2022 Work Conference of the People’s Bank of China, reviewed the bank’s financial market and credit policy work in 2021, and outlined key priorities for 2022. Pan Gongsheng, member of the Party Committee and Vice Governor of the People’s Bank of China, attended the meeting and delivered a speech, while Liu Guiping, also a member of the Party Committee and Vice Governor, chaired the session.
The meeting concluded that, in 2021, the People’s Bank of China’s financial markets division resolutely implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, shouldered its responsibilities with courage, ensured rigorous execution, and continuously enhanced the quality and effectiveness of financial services to the real economy. The two targeted policy tools were smoothly extended, seamless coordination was achieved between financial poverty alleviation and rural revitalization financing, and financial support for key areas and weak links—such as small and micro enterprises, manufacturing, technological innovation, energy security, and green development—was further strengthened. Meanwhile, progress in financial market reform, opening-up, and development proceeded in tandem with efforts to prevent and defuse risks, yielding positive results across all fronts. In 2022, the cadres and staff of the People’s Bank of China’s financial markets division are expected to be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold the principle of prioritizing stability while seeking progress within stability, continually refine their working approaches and methods, and devote themselves wholeheartedly to delivering high‑quality financial services that support the real economy.
The meeting emphasized the need to accelerate the establishment of institutional mechanisms that enable finance to effectively support the real economy, guiding financial institutions to optimize their financing structures and better serve key sectors and vulnerable areas of the national economy. It called for robust efforts to provide financial support to small, medium, and micro enterprises and to safeguard market entities, ensuring a smooth transition following the phasing out of two targeted policy tools, refining and implementing measures to enhance financial services for these businesses, and stepping up financial assistance to service industries severely impacted by the pandemic. The meeting also stressed the importance of consolidating and expanding the achievements of poverty alleviation, while increasing financing support for priority areas in rural revitalization. Upholding the principle that housing is for living, not for speculation, it urged the prudent implementation of real estate‑related financial regulatory policies, bolstering financial support for housing rentals, and adopting city‑specific measures to foster a healthy cycle and sound development of the real estate sector. Furthermore, the meeting underscored the need to continuously improve the financial support system for technological innovation and enhance financial institutions’ capacity to serve the manufacturing sector. Finally, it highlighted the importance of correctly understanding and managing the goals of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, and of ensuring the effective deployment of carbon‑reduction support tools and special reloans for the clean and efficient use of coal.
The meeting called for adherence to the principles of marketization, rule of law, and internationalization, and for the continued advancement of financial market reform, opening-up, and development. It emphasized accelerating the improvement of the legal framework for the bond market, continuously optimizing the institutional environment, effectively preventing and resolving default risks, and strengthening coordinated regulation and strategic planning for financial infrastructure. The meeting also urged steady and sound development of the money market, the bills market, the gold market, the interbank derivatives market, and asset-backed securities business. In addition, it instructed relevant departments to continue conducting self-inspections and rectifications of financial activities undertaken by internet platform enterprises, while maintaining a stringent crackdown on speculative trading in virtual currencies.
The meeting emphasized that all cadres and staff members of the People’s Bank of China’s financial markets division must proceed steadily and ensure the effective implementation of all tasks related to stabilizing growth and guarding against risks. They should focus closely on key areas such as small and micro enterprises, rural revitalization, green and low‑carbon development, transition finance, technological innovation, and financial risk prevention, conduct thorough research, and lay a solid foundation for their work. Furthermore, they are urged to make good use of the outcomes of Party history study and education, uphold the principle of putting the people first in finance, pursue practical action with determination, and strive to achieve high‑quality progress across all aspects of financial market operations and credit policy, thereby supporting and safeguarding the stable functioning of the macroeconomy and welcoming the successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China with outstanding results.
Officials from the People’s Bank of China Shanghai Head Office, its branches, business management departments, central sub-branches in provincial (autonomous region) capitals, central sub-branches in vice-provincial-level cities, relevant departments and bureaus of the Head Office, as well as the Credit Reference Center, Foreign Exchange Trading Center, Central Securities Depository, Shanghai Gold Exchange, Traders Association, Shanghai Clearing House, Internet Finance Association, and Shanghai Bills Exchange attended the meeting at the main venue and at local sub-venues.

Technological innovation supports the dual-carbon goals, while Yingkang Yisheng drives the green transformation of the greater health industry.
In 2014, the Joint Commission International (JCI) noted that low carbon emissions are “a factor that hospitals must consider in the future.” Today, with China’s announcement of its goals to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, “low carbon” and “green” have increasingly become the industry consensus driving the development of China’s greater health sector. Yingkang Yisheng—Haier Group’s ecosystem brand for the greater health industry—is precisely a pioneering leader in the sector’s pursuit of low‑carbon transformation.
Leveraging IoT technologies, smart healthcare, big data, and integrated online–offline service capabilities, Yingkang Yisheng has forged a green development path aligned with the logic of the greater health industry. A robust low‑carbon framework and a suite of carbon‑reduction initiatives are being effectively implemented across its two listed subsidiaries—Haier Bio and Yingkang Life—as well as within the ecosystem of more than 20 hospitals nationwide.
Against the backdrop of carbon neutrality emerging as a shared development goal across the industry, accelerating the industrialization of Stirling‑cycle refrigeration technology has become an inevitable choice for the sector’s advancement. As the pace of commercialization quickens, Stirling refrigeration will find broad applications in low‑temperature storage and transport within industries such as vaccines, blood products, biological samples, and pharmaceuticals; in cryogenic superconducting fields like space‑borne CCD detector cooling; and in low‑temperature refrigeration areas spanning genetic engineering, biopharmaceuticals, and life sciences—thereby further driving the development of high‑end instruments and equipment for the biosecurity industry. Through concrete actions, Haier Biomedical is leading the “low‑carbon” transformation of China’s ultra‑low‑temperature storage sector at the industry level.
Alongside its export of products, Haier Biomedical is also sharing its “Haier Solution” for green, carbon‑reduction initiatives worldwide. In recent years, the company has broken through international patent barriers, pioneering a patented “combined cold‑and‑heat storage constant‑temperature device and control method” for solar‑powered vaccine refrigerators. Compared with foreign technology, Haier Biomedical’s “solar‑direct‑drive cold‑storage technology” achieves 1.6 times the thermal insulation performance of overseas brands while using only one‑third as much phase‑change material. Under ambient temperatures of 43°C, after a power outage, the internal temperature can remain within the 2–8°C range for up to 120 hours—far exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) requirement of maintaining refrigeration for 72 hours—thereby providing global users with scientifically sound and reliable basic immunization safeguards and establishing a Chinese pathway for solar‑direct‑drive cold‑storage technology.
Currently, Haier Biomedical’s solar-powered vaccine refrigerators hold the top market share worldwide, having been deployed in 78 countries and regions. Its technology serves 45 million children of vaccination age each year, helping to boost immunization rates in low-income countries from 30% in 2015 to 57% and preventing 6.9 million child deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.
As a leading enterprise in China’s greater health sector, Yingkang Yisheng has been committed in recent years to making green and low‑carbon development the cornerstone of the industry. In recent years, it has spearheaded innovative digital‑health initiatives across its portfolio of hospitals, including Shanghai Yongci Rehabilitation Hospital, Sichuan Youyi Hospital, Yuncheng First Hospital, Suzhou Guangci Cancer Hospital, and Shanghai Yingkang Nursing Home.
As one of the core pillars driving Yingkang Yisheng’s development of the green health industry, the low‑carbon attributes of IoT technology are fully realized in Yingkang’s nursing‑care business. Today, the smart elderly‑care service platform—built over many years by Yingkang’s nursing homes—has become a flagship initiative for implementing its IoT strategy. This platform leverages IoT, smart hardware, and artificial intelligence to deliver intelligent, evidence‑based, and human‑centered care services. By deploying smart terminal devices, it collects real‑time, multi‑dimensional data on residents’ vital signs and their surrounding environment, then employs advanced analytical algorithms to identify their actual care needs, enabling caregivers to promptly access and address those requirements.
In addition, hospitals under Yingkang Yisheng have leveraged IoT technology to successfully develop the Rehabilitation Robot IoT Hub. This is Asia’s largest and China’s first such hub, enabling 40 patient sessions with just three therapists. Compared with labor-intensive traditional rehabilitation practices, it significantly reduces labor costs.
The integration of IoT components enables Yingkang Yisheng’s elderly care and rehabilitation services to systematically and efficiently leverage social resources, information assets, and health data, ensuring that both human and material resources are optimally utilized. This precise matching and highly effective resource management helps conserve societal resources and reduce carbon emissions throughout the service delivery process.

Strengthening Law Enforcement of the New Solid Waste Law to Promote the Transformation and Upgrading of the Steel Industry
For many years, the environmental damage caused by solid waste emissions has remained severe. In the metallurgical sector, waste slag discharge accounts for a significant share of China’s industrial solid waste emissions, with metal tailings and smelting slags comprising roughly 50% of the nation’s total industrial solid waste output.
Yang Weikun, a deputy to the National People’s Congress, vice mayor of the Baoding Municipal People’s Government, and chairman of the Baoding Municipal Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, stated that over the years, relevant authorities and enterprises have undertaken extensive efforts—such as establishing provincial-level management and coordination bodies in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, forming the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Solid Waste Alliance, and setting up specialized research institutes on solid waste—yielding significant results. However, traditional industries, which have persisted for a century, continue to operate today, with ongoing pollution emissions and unabated carbon footprints. Under mounting social and multifaceted pressures, even conventional sectors like the steel industry have begun addressing solid-waste management; current measures involve returning metallurgical slag to the furnace for re-smelting to recover residual iron content from the solid waste.
“At present, the metallurgical process used to recycle solid waste still follows the original metallurgical flow, which yields only a very limited amount of iron while increasing carbon emissions and reducing corporate profitability.” In light of this, Yang Weikun recommends strengthening enforcement of the new Solid Waste Law, conducting oversight and inspections of solid‑waste recycling, and urging local government authorities to implement national legislation and advance the development of China’s solid‑waste circular‑economy system. In particular, the current metallurgical processes employed by the steel industry for handling solid waste should not be regarded as technologies for solid‑waste recycling; therefore, such practices ought to be explicitly prohibited.
First, it is essential to strengthen law enforcement, enforce local accountability, and advance the development of a circular‑economy system. The new Solid Waste Law clearly delineates the responsibilities of enforcement agencies and calls for the construction of zero‑waste cities; however, further improvements are needed in the management framework. Taking industrial solid waste as an example, sectors such as mining and extraction, industrial smelting, power generation, chemical processing, and vehicle management are each overseen by different ministries, necessitating coordinated efforts. Given the varying circumstances across regions, some local governments may need to establish dedicated, integrated solid‑waste management bodies and incorporate this into their official performance targets. In addition, national standards for the treatment and disposal of solid waste should be promptly formulated and promulgated to provide clear guidelines. Building on these national standards, public platforms for the circular utilization of solid waste should be established in key regions, thereby advancing the overall development of a circular‑economy system for solid waste.
Second, we will strengthen technological support and concentrate resources on breakthroughs in key technologies. Relevant ministries and commissions will launch major science and technology programs for the circular utilization of solid waste, establish research projects on recycling in traditional industries—such as steel, cement, glass, chemicals, and power—and support enterprises in building engineering centers for solid-waste recycling. This will intensify efforts to promote the circular use of solid waste in traditional sectors and advance green, circular, and sustainable development. In priority regions, demonstration projects will be developed, and solid-waste‑recycling industrial parks will be established to bolster technology transfer and industrialization. Efforts will be stepped up to expand the adoption of solid-waste‑recycling initiatives, while promoting and publicizing new technologies and processes. Furthermore, government agencies in key areas will be encouraged to set up specialized research programs targeting local priority industries, with national-level support to focus concentrated scientific and technological efforts on these regions.
Third, expand the scale of environmental remediation funds across all sectors of society and establish demonstration zones for solid waste recycling. Increase both the size and the scope of these funds, with the state establishing a national fund for environmental remediation and resource circulation, while encouraging local governments and relevant social organizations to set up similar funds. The state will also coordinate and introduce cross‑departmental and cross‑industry incentive policies to foster interagency collaboration, promote the sustainable development of resource circulation, and cultivate an ecosystem for the environmental remediation industry, thereby attracting civil society to participate in joint efforts to advance environmental protection. In key regions, public integrated platforms for the treatment of major industrial solid wastes should be established, with such responsibilities assigned to local governments; additionally, national demonstration zones for resource recycling should be designated, receiving supportive policies at the national level.

Taxation TAXATATION
Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises have once again received tax relief support.
Recently, the State Taxation Administration and the Ministry of Finance issued an announcement clarifying that small, medium, and micro-sized manufacturing enterprises will continue to defer payment of certain taxes and fees for the fourth quarter of 2021, as well as for the first and second quarters of 2022. Experts believe that this tax‑relief policy, which has drawn close attention from SMEs, will help foster steady growth in the industrial economy and support the development of small, medium, and micro‑sized manufacturing offices.
In 2021, in response to evolving economic conditions, China timely introduced targeted tax and fee relief measures and implemented precise tax‑related policy adjustments. Building on a series of tax and fee reduction policies rolled out at the beginning of the year, the fourth quarter saw the introduction of deferred payment arrangements for taxes and fees, aimed at bolstering industrial economic performance and supporting small and medium‑sized manufacturing enterprises.
Statistics show that in the fourth quarter of 2021, the policy of deferring tax and fee payments for small, medium, and micro manufacturing enterprises resulted in a total relief of 216.2 billion yuan. By enterprise type, medium-sized enterprises benefited from deferred tax and fee payments totaling 125.3 billion yuan, while small and micro enterprises received 90.9 billion yuan. By industry, the sectors with the largest deferred payment amounts were equipment manufacturing, building materials, metal products, and textiles and apparel, collectively accounting for 133 billion yuan—61.5% of the total deferred taxes. Cai Zili, Director-General of the Revenue Planning and Accounting Department of the State Taxation Administration, stated that taxpayers and payers have widely reported that the deferral of taxes and fees is akin to the government providing an “interest-free loan,” thereby providing temporary relief to businesses’ cash flow pressures.
At present, the steady recovery of the industrial economy remains fragile, making it necessary to continue providing relief and support to small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. On February 14, the State Council Executive Meeting explicitly decided to extend the tax‑deferral policy for small and medium‑sized manufacturing enterprises. Subsequently, a joint document issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments stipulated that the policy—originally implemented in the fourth quarter of 2021—to defer payment of certain taxes and fees for small and medium‑sized manufacturing enterprises would be extended for an additional six months. In response, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration jointly released an announcement further clarifying the relevant details.
“The deferral of tax and fee payments fully reflects the quality‑enhancing, precision‑targeted approach of tax and fee reductions, aiming to help small and medium‑sized manufacturing enterprises cope with the impact of the pandemic and economic uncertainty. This measure will effectively ease offices’ liquidity pressures, strengthen the foundation of the manufacturing sector, and play a crucial role in safeguarding people’s livelihoods and stabilizing employment,” said Li Xuhong, Director of the Institute for Fiscal and Tax Policies and Applications at the National Accounting Institute, Beijing.
He Daixin, head of the Fiscal Research Office at the Institute of Financial Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also believes that deferring tax and fee payments represents a targeted new approach to easing the burden on market entities, enriching the policy framework for tax and fee reductions and demonstrating a precision‑targeted support strategy for small, medium, and micro enterprises, thereby helping to bolster industrial economic performance.
According to the announcement, the tax deferral policy covers corporate income tax, individual income tax, domestic value-added tax, domestic consumption tax, as well as the associated urban maintenance and construction tax, education surcharge, and local education surcharge. Mid-sized manufacturing enterprises may defer payment of 50% of their respective tax liabilities, while small and micro manufacturing enterprises may defer payment of all such taxes and levies for a period of six months.
The reporter learned that, to facilitate taxpayers in benefiting from this policy, the tax authorities have optimized the electronic tax bureau and introduced a tax‑deferral alert feature, enabling taxpayers to complete the relevant procedures through the platform. Whether a taxpayer meets the eligibility criteria for tax deferral is determined independently by the taxpayer based on their actual business circumstances, while the tax authorities conduct post‑event risk assessments.
“The tax authorities will work closely with relevant departments and implement robust measures to ensure that the tax and fee reduction policies laid out by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council are fully and effectively implemented, so that the benefits of these measures can swiftly reach market entities in the industrial and service sectors,” said Dai Shiyou, head of the Policy and Regulations Department of the State Taxation Administration, when outlining efforts to implement tax and fee policies supporting the industrial and service sectors.
It is reported that the tax authorities will leverage tax‑related big data and, drawing on the tax system’s nationwide, unified policy‑promotion and guidance framework featuring a precision‑targeted tagging system, proactively identify market entities that meet the eligibility criteria for preferential policies and deliver tailored policy information on a one‑to‑one basis. At the same time, through SMS messages, the electronic tax bureau, and other channels, they will provide “point‑to‑point” guidance and reminders to eligible taxpayers and payers.
“In 2022, China will implement a more robust package of tax and fee reductions, optimizing the ways in which these policies are rolled out to enhance the effectiveness of proactive fiscal policy, with greater emphasis on precision and sustainability, thereby ensuring the steady operation of the economy,” said Li Xuhong.

Individual Income Tax Annual Settlement Now Open: Key Highlights—Three Methods, Three-Step Appointment Process

According to a report by China National Radio’s “Economic Voice” program, the annual individual income tax settlement—key to individuals’ financial well-being—has been open for processing as of today (March 1) and will remain available through June 30, spanning four months with round-the-clock access. The State Taxation Administration has clarified that, to meet the needs of diverse groups, three different filing methods are provided. To prevent overcrowding, an appointment‑based service was introduced in the initial phase, allowing users to complete their booking in just three simple steps.
Simply put, the annual individual income tax settlement involves, on the basis of taxes already withheld throughout the year, “identifying any omissions or underpayments, aggregating income and expenses, settling accounts on an annual basis, and refunding overpaid amounts while collecting any shortfalls”—a practice that is widely adopted around the world.
At present, the annual individual income tax settlement covers only four types of income: wages and salaries, labor compensation, manuscript fees, and royalty income. It does not include business income, interest, dividends, or bonus income; property rental income; property transfer income; or incidental income. Nor does it cover one-time year-end bonuses or other income that taxpayers have elected not to include in their comprehensive income.
How exactly should this be handled? The State Taxation Administration clarified in its announcement that there are three methods for filing the annual individual income tax settlement: taxpayers may handle it themselves, have their employer handle it on their behalf, or entrust a tax‑related professional service agency or other entities and individuals to do so.
The first option, “self‑service filing,” is primarily conducted through the Individual Income Tax App, which is extremely convenient for most people—simply a few taps are all it takes. This method is also well suited to freelancers who are familiar with the individual income tax filing regulations.
According to data previously released by the State Taxation Administration, during last year’s individual income tax annual settlement, more than 99% of taxpayers filed their returns through the Individual Income Tax App.
So, who are the second and third filing methods best suited for? Li Rui, a member of the Business Standards and Development Committee of the All-China Association of Certified Tax Agents, explains: “If you choose to have your employer handle your tax return, you must first have an employer. This option is most appropriate for individuals who, aside from salary income earned at their current job, do not receive other types of income such as labor compensation or manuscript fees. On the other hand, if you have multiple sources of income, a strong awareness of tax‑related risks, and limited knowledge of individual income tax filing, it would be more advisable to entrust a professional service agency to handle your tax return.”
Unlike in previous years, to avoid overcrowding, the tax authorities have introduced an appointment‑based service at the start of the filing period this year. Taxpayers who need to file between March 1 and March 15 must make an appointment in advance.
Completing the appointment takes just three steps: First, go to the “2021 Annual Settlement of Comprehensive Income” section on the home page of the Individual Income Tax App and tap “Make an Appointment.” Second, on the calendar in the appointment interface, select a time that suits you and is available for booking, then click “Submit Appointment Request.” Third, once submitted successfully, you will see the message “You have successfully made an appointment.”
Please note that if you plan to file your annual individual income tax settlement on or after March 16, no appointment is required—you can file at any time.
With the official launch of the annual individual income tax settlement, many people will receive their tax refund “red envelope,” while others will need to pay additional taxes.
Li Rui cited two examples. “If a person’s annual comprehensive income does not exceed 60,000 yuan and they have already made regular withholding of individual income tax, they will certainly receive a tax refund during the annual tax reconciliation. On the other hand, if an individual is employed by two employers and receives wages and salaries from both, it means that the basic deduction of 5,000 yuan per month will be deducted twice when taxes are withheld—effectively amounting to two deductions of 5,000 yuan. In such a case, the individual may need to pay additional tax during the annual reconciliation.”
From the perspective of facilitating tax compliance, this year’s individual income tax annual final settlement continues to apply the “no penalty for first-time violations” provision. When filing their annual return, if taxpayers incur over‑refunds or underpayments due to errors in the information they provide, and they either correct such errors voluntarily or promptly rectify them after being reminded by the tax authorities, the tax authorities may waive penalties in accordance with the “no penalty for first-time violations” principle.

Continuously optimizing the tax-related business environment for foreign trade entities.
Taxation is a crucial tool for the state to regulate economic activity. A favorable tax‑related business environment not only instills confidence and vitality in market entities but also continuously fuels economic growth.
Since last year, a series of policy measures—ranging from export tax rebates and tax and fee reductions to service improvements—have steadily enhanced the tax-related business environment, contributing significantly to stabilizing foreign trade.
As the new export‑tax‑rebate system continues to be refined, the speed and convenience of tax refunds have steadily improved, providing robust support for foreign‑trade enterprises in ensuring smooth cash flow, strengthening supply chains, and enhancing service networks. Meanwhile, the policy of additional deductions for R&D expenses in the manufacturing sector, along with temporary deferrals of tax and fee payments, has effectively eased financial pressures on businesses, boosted their innovation drive, and played a crucial role in fostering high‑quality growth in foreign trade. In addition, policy measures such as the “no‑invoice‑required tax exemption” for cross‑border e‑commerce and the agency‑handled tax‑refund services offered by integrated foreign‑trade service providers have strongly supported the innovative development of new business forms and models in foreign trade, becoming a powerful new impetus for transforming and upgrading the sector and advancing its high‑quality development.
As an essential component of national governance, taxation plays a foundational, pillar‑like, and safeguarding role. “Tax‑driven” measures are propelling high‑quality development in foreign trade, encompassing direct tax reductions and exemptions that lower corporate tax burdens, as well as indirect cost‑saving mechanisms such as additional tax deductions, alongside administrative reforms and service enhancements that improve tax compliance efficiency. Policies like tax reductions, refunds, and rebates can provide targeted relief to enterprises, immediately easing their financial strain, boosting cash flow, alleviating funding pressures, and bolstering confidence in growth. Meanwhile, policies such as the additional deduction for R&D expenses and accelerated depreciation serve to foster innovation across economic actors, encouraging offices to increase R&D investment, strengthen their independent innovation capacity, and enhance the international competitiveness of their products. In the long run, these measures can accelerate the transformation and upgrading of foreign‑trade enterprises, help them seize opportunities presented by the restructuring of global industrial and supply chains, and contribute to the establishment of a new development paradigm. By effectively leveraging the complementary roles of various policies, market entities can also experience greater tangible benefits. For instance, for small, medium, and micro foreign‑trade enterprises—whose risk‑resilience is relatively limited—the introduction of management measures for comprehensive foreign‑trade service providers to handle export‑tax refund procedures has lightened their administrative burden, while the swift implementation of tax cuts and fee reductions has provided much‑needed financial support for shifting from exports to domestic sales, helping these offices navigate challenges, expand markets, secure orders, and strengthen their ability to withstand market risks.
Looking ahead to 2022, China’s economic development faces triple pressures: shrinking demand, supply shocks, and weakening expectations. The global pandemic situation remains severe, the external environment is growing increasingly complex, challenging, and uncertain, and the recovery of international demand has slowed. To further promote the sound development of foreign trade, fiscal and tax policies should be strengthened, with targeted and large-scale tax and fee reductions effectively implemented.
Targeted Efforts—Focusing on high-quality development in the manufacturing sector, leveraging tax policies to guide enterprises in technological innovation and industrial transformation and upgrading; and concentrating on small and micro enterprises and individual business households to invigorate the growth momentum of these SMEs and micro‑export entities.
Step up efforts—enhance the pre-tax deduction for equipment and instruments purchased by small, medium, and micro enterprises; increase tax relief on income taxes for small and micro enterprises; and broaden the scope of entities eligible for local reductions or exemptions on the “six taxes and two fees.”
Optimizing services—thoroughly implementing the “Opinions on Further Deepening Tax Collection and Administration Reform” issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, ensuring that tax incentives are delivered swiftly and precisely to foreign trade entities, thereby fostering the sound development of new forms and models of foreign trade.
Policy Coordination—Strengthen coordination and collaboration among tax authorities, fiscal departments, financial institutions, and other relevant agencies; enhance the synergistic linkage between tax policies and fiscal, monetary, industrial, and other policy measures; and pool policy efforts to boost the vitality of foreign‑trade enterprises and reinforce the momentum of economic development.
 

Litigation & Arbitration
The Supreme People’s Court, the All-China Women’s Federation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, and five other departments have jointly issued the “Opinions on Strengthening the Implementation of the Personal Safety Protection Order System.”
The family is the basic unit of society. A harmonious and stable family serves as the cornerstone for national development, social progress, and the prosperity of the nation. Valuing the family is an essential component of the fine traditional culture of the Chinese nation. In its relevant work, the people’s courts have earnestly implemented the important expositions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on strengthening family building, family education, and family traditions, as well as the provisions of the Civil Code that call for “cultivating sound family values, promoting family virtues, and attaching great importance to the development of civilized families,” and that “prohibit domestic violence.” On March 5, 2022, the Supreme People’s Court, together with the All-China Women’s Federation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Health Commission, jointly issued the “Opinions on Strengthening the Implementation of the Personal Safety Protection Order System” (hereinafter referred to as the “Opinions”). The background and main contents of these Opinions are set out below:
I. Background to the Issuance of the “Opinions”
The Anti‑Domestic Violence Law of the People’s Republic of China, enacted in 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the “Anti‑Domestic Violence Law”), established a system of personal safety protection orders, providing that parties who have suffered domestic violence or face an imminent risk of it may apply to the people’s courts for such orders. This system plays a crucial role in preventing and stopping domestic violence. Over the six years since its implementation, people’s courts at all levels have actively fulfilled their duties, with the number of personal safety protection orders issued increasing year by year, thereby effectively preventing and curbing the occurrence or recurrence of domestic violence. However, in recent years, certain issues have emerged in practice, including high thresholds for issuing such orders, judges’ uncertainty in assessing “imminent risk of domestic violence,” and unclear delineation of responsibilities among relevant departments in the concrete enforcement of the system—problems that have hindered the effective functioning of this mechanism. In order to implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on emphasizing family building, family education, and family values, in 2021 the Supreme People’s Court conducted a special study on the implementation of the personal safety protection order system. Guided by the frequently occurring, pressing issues encountered in practice, the study sought to refine and improve relevant provisions, thereby strengthening and elevating the level of protection afforded to victims of domestic violence.
II. Main Contents of the “Opinions”
The “Opinions” comprise twenty articles, setting forth provisions on the principles that should govern the implementation of the personal safety protection order system, the specific responsibilities of various departments, and the obligations to assist in enforcement, among other aspects.
(1) Clarify the principles that shall be followed in the implementation of the personal safety protection order system.
Safeguarding, in accordance with the law, the legitimate rights and interests of family members—particularly women, minors, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—is essential to thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping’s thought on the rule of law and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the significance of family values, family education, and family traditions; it upholds equal, harmonious, and civilized family relationships and promotes family harmony and social stability. People’s courts unequivocally oppose domestic violence and, through judicial means, ensure the protection of the lawful rights and interests of victims. The “Opinions” clearly stipulate that, in enforcing personal safety protection orders, it is imperative to be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, adhere to the principles of lawful, timely, and effective protection of victims, safeguard the privacy of the parties involved, and respect the genuine wishes of the victims.
(II) Placing greater emphasis on the protection of minors’ rights and interests
The Civil Code, in addressing matters involving minors such as guardianship and adoption, separately stipulates that the best interests of the ward or the adoptee shall be paramount. The 2020 amendment to the Law on the Protection of Minors likewise enshrines the principle of acting in the best interests of the minor as a fundamental tenet. The Opinions actively implement the spirit of relevant policies and laws on the protection of minors, affording them special and priority protection; they further clarify that, in enforcing personal safety protection orders, the principle of acting in the best interests of the minor must also be upheld. With regard to situations where minors are questioned or give testimony, the regulations specifically provide for the provision of appropriate venues and environments, allow them to testify without appearing in court, and otherwise take full account of their physical and psychological characteristics while respecting their personal dignity.
(3) Refine and clarify the content of the mandatory reporting obligations of relevant departments.
In practice, there are cases in which victims of domestic violence, either unaware of or unwilling to seek a personal safety protection order, endure prolonged abuse without being able to resort to legal remedies to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. Timely intervention by relevant government departments is of crucial importance in promptly protecting such victims, serving as both a safeguard and a last‑resort mechanism. To this end, the Opinions stipulate that civil affairs departments and medical institutions, upon discovering during their work or medical treatment that persons with no civil capacity or limited civil capacity have suffered, or are suspected of having suffered, domestic violence, must promptly report the matter to the public security organs; schools and kindergartens, upon identifying situations where minors have suffered, or are suspected of having suffered, domestic violence, must promptly notify the public security, civil affairs, education, and other competent authorities. These measures aim to fully leverage the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies to jointly protect the lawful rights and interests of victims of domestic violence. Furthermore, the Opinions require judicial administrative organs to strengthen legal aid for victims of domestic violence, streamline channels for applying for legal assistance, and help them utilize legal means to defend their rights and interests.
(4) Refining the enforcement procedures for personal safety protection orders
Article 32 of the Anti‑Domestic Violence Law stipulates that personal safety protection orders shall be enforced by the people’s courts, with public security organs and residents’ committees, village committees, and other relevant entities obligated to provide assistance. However, this provision is rather general; further detailed regulations are needed to clarify how such orders enter into compulsory enforcement and how assisting agencies are to render specific support. Enforcement of personal safety protection orders falls into two categories: one involves obligations to act, such as “the respondent shall move out of the applicant’s residence”; the other involves obligations not to act, such as “the respondent shall refrain from harassing, stalking, or contacting the applicant and their close relatives.” With respect to non‑action obligations, no separate application for compulsory enforcement is required; nevertheless, if the respondent violates the order, the applicant may petition the people’s court for enforcement. As for action‑based obligations, should the respondent fail to comply, the applicant may likewise seek compulsory enforcement from the court. The Opinions explicitly state that if the respondent fails to perform or breaches a personal safety protection order, the applicant may apply to the people’s court for compulsory enforcement. Regarding the obligation of public security organs, residents’ committees, village committees, women’s federations, and other relevant entities to assist in enforcement, the Opinions set forth specific provisions. In particular, public security authorities are required not only to help ensure compliance with the order and promptly dispatch police when the respondent violates it, but also to report the situation to the people’s court, thereby fostering genuine inter‑agency coordination. Meanwhile, residents’ committees, village committees, and women’s federations can leverage their frontline role in mediating disputes, monitor and document the implementation of the order, provide legal education and psychological counseling, and facilitate timely communication between victims and the people’s court and public security organs, thus effectively energizing the coordinated anti‑domestic violence mechanism across all sectors.
Going forward, all relevant departments will rigorously implement the provisions of the “Opinions” and ensure that the system of personal safety protection orders is effectively put into practice.

Supreme People’s Procuratorate: Exercising Procuratorial Functions Proactively to Support High-Quality Economic and Social Development
On the morning of March 6, Zhang Jun, a deputy to the National People’s Congress and Party Secretary and Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, attended the group deliberations of the Heilongjiang Delegation at the Fifth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress, where he reviewed the Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang.
“The people’s government serves the people! The Government Work Report has struck a chord with the public and earned their heartfelt approval,” said Zhang Jun, a deputy to the National People’s Congress and Party Secretary and Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, on the morning of March 6 while attending the Heilongjiang delegation’s deliberations at the Fifth Session of the 13th NPC. “Last year was a milestone in the history of the Party and the country. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, all ethnic groups across the nation worked tirelessly and forged ahead with determination, achieving remarkable results in all areas of Party and state work and fully demonstrating the tremendous superiority of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. The Government Work Report is permeated throughout by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and by the principle of putting the people first. It reflects how, as the principal social contradiction has evolved, government efforts have increasingly focused on addressing unbalanced and inadequate development and on meeting the people’s ever-growing aspirations for a better life—embodying the overarching interests of the nation and faithfully echoing the voices of the people, thereby earning widespread recognition from all sectors.” Regarding the Government Work Report, Zhang Jun expressed his full agreement and support.
Zhang Jun pointed out that, at present, China’s economic and social development is confronted with numerous new circumstances and challenges. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the procuratorial organs must fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, proactively fulfill their duties and take initiative to ensure steady and sustainable economic and social progress, and earnestly shoulder their major responsibility of safeguarding national security, social stability, and the people’s peace and tranquility—
It is essential to implement the requirement of coordinating development and security, dare to struggle and be adept at struggling, and, in accordance with the law, impose severe penalties on crimes that endanger national security, such as inciting the subversion of state power, thereby resolutely safeguarding national political security and overall social stability.
We must adopt solid and effective measures to foster a law-based business environment. This requires both rigorously prosecuting and preventing crimes in the economic and financial sectors—maximizing asset recovery and mitigating losses—and, in tandem with case handling, proactively identifying potential financial risks, offering constructive recommendations, and implementing thorough, root-cause‑oriented governance to effectively guard against “black swan” and “gray rhino” events in the economic and social spheres. In particular, we must ensure equal protection is fully realized; building on the remarkable results of earlier pilot programs, we will roll out the compliance reform for enterprises involved in cases nationwide across all procuratorial organs.
We must make concerted efforts to consolidate and deepen the achievements of the education and rectification campaign within the political and legal forces, further advance the implementation of the “Three Regulations,” strengthen the prevention and control of integrity risks, and improve the mechanisms for supervising and restraining the exercise of procuratorial powers. By integrating immediate corrective measures with long-term institutional safeguards, we will promote a dual approach of addressing both symptoms and root causes, tackling issues at their source while ensuring lasting effectiveness, thereby enabling the procuratorial workforce to better shoulder its political, legal, and prosecutorial responsibilities in serving the overall interests and the people in the new era and at this new stage of development.

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate has issued the “Provisions on the Procedures for Disciplinary Action Against Prosecutors (Trial)”
In order to strictly implement the judicial accountability system, improve the disciplinary mechanism for prosecutors, standardize disciplinary procedures, and promote and ensure that prosecutors perform their duties in accordance with the law, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate recently issued the “Provisions on Procedures for Disciplinary Actions Against Prosecutors (Trial)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Provisions”).
The “Procedural Regulations” comprise 24 articles and shall enter into force as of the date of their promulgation. The formulation of these Regulations represents a significant step taken by the procuratorial organs to thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s thought on the rule of law and earnestly carry out General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions that procuratorial organs should “dare to exercise oversight, be adept at exercising oversight, and courageously conduct self‑oversight.” It also constitutes an important achievement in establishing institutional frameworks and rules as part of the nationwide education and rectification campaign within the procuratorial workforce.
The promulgation of the “Procedural Regulations” marks the completion of the top-level design for the People’s Procuratorates’ system of accountability for judicial responsibility and the disciplinary regime for prosecutors. In October 2020, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate formulated and issued the “Regulations on Accountability for Judicial Responsibility in the People’s Procuratorates,” which sets out specific requirements regarding the acceptance of leads concerning violations of prosecutorial duties, investigation and verification, circumstances warranting accountability, allocation of responsibility, exemptions from liability, and methods of handling, and applies to disciplinary proceedings against prosecutors. The “Procedural Regulations” specifically lay down procedural rules for holding prosecutors accountable and imposing disciplinary measures when they engage in conduct that violates their prosecutorial duties during the performance of their judicial functions, following review by the Prosecutors’ Disciplinary Committee, thereby providing a institutional basis for the People’s Procuratorates to pursue prosecutors’ judicial accountability in accordance with laws, regulations, and Party discipline.
The Provisions on Procedures stipulate that disciplinary proceedings against prosecutors shall adhere to the principle of Party leadership over personnel; uphold judicial principles and reflect the distinctive characteristics of the prosecutorial profession; be grounded in factual truth and impartiality; ensure an organic unity of rigorous accountability and lawful protection; and balance liability with fault, combining discipline with education.
The Procedural Regulations stipulate that the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, as well as the provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, shall establish Prosecutor Disciplinary Committees. Members of these committees shall be selected from among professionals—such as deputies to the National People’s Congress, members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, legal scholars, lawyers, prosecutors, and judges—who possess high political integrity, strong professional competence, and impeccable professional ethics. The total number of committee members must be an odd number, with prosecutors accounting for no less than half of the membership.
The Procedural Regulations stipulate that disciplinary proceedings against prosecutors are divided between the People’s Procuratorate and the Prosecutors’ Disciplinary Committee. The People’s Procuratorate, in accordance with its authority over cadre management, investigates and verifies alleged violations of prosecutorial duties by prosecutors. Based on the review opinions of the Prosecutors’ Disciplinary Committee and in compliance with relevant provisions, including the Regulations on Accountability for Judicial Responsibility of the People’s Procuratorate, it makes a decision on whether to impose disciplinary measures, which may include suspension from duty, postponement of promotion, reassignment from judicial case-handling positions, removal from office, or ordering resignation, as well as imposing disciplinary sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations. Meanwhile, the Prosecutors’ Disciplinary Committee, drawing on the findings of the People’s Procuratorate’s investigation, is responsible for professionally reviewing and determining whether a prosecutor has engaged in conduct violating prosecutorial duties, and for issuing opinions on whether such conduct constitutes intentional violation of duty, gross negligence, ordinary negligence, or no violation of duty.
The Procedural Regulations also clearly set forth the rights enjoyed by the prosecutor concerned in disciplinary proceedings. The prosecutor may request the recusal of members of the Prosecutors’ Disciplinary Committee and of those conducting the review and investigation of the disciplinary case. When the Prosecutors’ Disciplinary Committee deliberates on a disciplinary matter, the prosecutor concerned has the right to attend the hearing, make statements, present evidence, and offer defenses, and may petition the Committee to summon relevant persons to appear at the hearing to testify or provide explanations. If the prosecutor disagrees with the review opinion, he or she may submit an objection to the Prosecutors’ Disciplinary Committee, which shall examine the objection and its grounds and render a decision. Should the prosecutor remain dissatisfied with the disciplinary decision, he or she may file for reconsideration and appeal.

The Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate jointly issued the “Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Handling Criminal Cases Involving Harm to Pharmaceutical Safety.”
Today, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate jointly issued the “Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Handling Criminal Cases Involving Harm to Pharmaceutical Safety” (hereinafter referred to as the “Interpretation”). The Interpretation was adopted at the 1865th meeting of the Adjudication Committee of the Supreme People’s Court on February 28, 2022, and at the 92nd meeting of the 13th Procuratorial Committee of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on February 25, 2022, and shall enter into force as of March 6, 2022.
The Interpretation adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implements Xi Jinping’s thought on the rule of law, and resolutely upholds the “four strictest” requirements for food and drug safety. It reflects the policy orientation of strictly punishing, in accordance with the law, crimes that endanger pharmaceutical safety, and fully addresses public concerns about medication safety. The Interpretation provides comprehensive and systematic provisions on the criteria for conviction and sentencing for relevant offenses, and offers solutions to prominent legal‑application issues raised in judicial practice. In particular, it clarifies the following matters:
First, crimes involving counterfeit and substandard drugs shall be severely punished in accordance with the law. The Interpretation emphasizes that where the production, sale, or supply of such drugs is directed primarily at pregnant and postpartum women, children, or patients with critical illnesses; where the drugs are intended to address emergencies such as natural disasters, accidental catastrophes, public health crises, or social security incidents; or where drug‑using institutions and their staff engage in the production or sale of counterfeit or substandard drugs, penalties shall be imposed more heavily as appropriate. If the production, sale, or supply of counterfeit drugs results in death or involves other particularly serious circumstances, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of ten years or more, up to the death penalty. If the production, sale, or supply of substandard drugs leads to particularly grave consequences, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of ten years or more, or to life imprisonment.
Second, crimes that obstruct pharmaceutical management shall be severely punished in accordance with the law. The offense of obstructing pharmaceutical management was newly established by the Eleventh Amendment to the Criminal Law. The Interpretation clarifies the specific circumstances under which the threshold for criminal liability—“sufficient to seriously endanger human health”—is met, focusing on penalizing illegal production and sale of pharmaceuticals, including those carried out by “black workshops,” as well as other acts that undermine pharmaceutical management. According to the Interpretation, if a “black workshop” produces pharmaceuticals without obtaining the requisite approval documents, or sells such pharmaceuticals knowing they fall into this category, and the indications, functions, main treatments, or ingredients of the drugs involved are unknown, this may constitute the crime of obstructing pharmaceutical management. Furthermore, if the drugs in question are legally determined to be counterfeit or substandard, the conduct may also amount to the more severely punishable offenses of manufacturing and selling counterfeit drugs or manufacturing and selling substandard drugs.
Third, crimes involving the illegal acquisition and sale of drugs obtained through insurance fraud shall be severely punished in accordance with the law. The medical insurance fund is “life-saving money” for the people and directly affects their vital interests. In response to the current problem of using fraudulent claims to purchase drugs and reselling them for profit, judicial authorities have implemented a criminal policy that balances leniency with severity, focusing on punishing organizers of such schemes, professional fraudsters, and those who exploit their official positions or occupational advantages to misappropriate medical insurance funds. The Interpretation further clarifies that anyone who knowingly acquires or sells, for illicit gain, drugs purchased through fraudulent insurance claims, where the amount involved exceeds RMB 50,000, shall be convicted and sentenced for the crime of concealing or covering up proceeds of crime; and anyone who instructs, incites, or directs others to use fraudulent insurance claims to purchase drugs and then illegally acquire and sell them shall be convicted and sentenced for the crime of fraud.
The Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate will guide people’s courts and people’s procuratorates at all levels to strictly implement the Criminal Law and relevant judicial interpretations, fully leverage their judicial functions, effectively safeguard the public’s medication safety and health, and continuously strengthen judicial protection of people’s livelihoods.
The “Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Handling Criminal Cases Involving Harm to Pharmaceutical Safety” was adopted at the 1865th Meeting of the Adjudication Committee of the Supreme People’s Court on February 28, 2022, and at the 92nd Meeting of the Thirteenth Prosecutorial Committee of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on February 25, 2022. It is hereby promulgated and shall enter into force as of March 6, 2022.

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