JC Master Legal News Issue 1102

Key Takeaways for This Issue
Wu Qing answered questions from reporters at the economic-themed press conference of the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress.
The Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress held a press conference on March 6, 2024, at the Media Center Press Hall. Zheng Zhajie, Director of the National Development and Reform Commission; Lan Fo’an, Minister of Finance; Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce; Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China; and Wu Qing, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on issues related to development and reform, fiscal budgeting, commerce, and finance and securities.
The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has issued the “Detailed Rules for the Assessment of Work Safety in Central Enterprises.”
On March 7, the website of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council issued the “Notice on the Issuance of the Implementation Rules for the Safety Production Assessment of Central Enterprises.”
The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has issued 18 guidelines to deepen the innovation and performance‑driving initiatives among young employees of central enterprises.
On March 5, the website of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council issued the “Notice on the Issuance of the ‘Opinions on Deepening Youth Innovation and Efficiency‑Improvement Activities in Central Enterprises in the New Era and on the New Journey.’”
The Supreme People’s Procuratorate has issued the first batch of typical cases promoting the integration of the core socialist values into the rule of law.
On March 6, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate website published the “Notice on Issuing the ‘Typical Cases of Procuratorial Organs Actively Fulfilling Their Duties in Accordance with the Law to Promote the Integration of Socialist Core Values into the Rule of Law (First Batch)’.”
Finance & Capital Markets
Wu Qing answered questions from reporters at the economic-themed press conference of the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress.
The Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress held a press conference at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in the Press Conference Hall of the Media Center. Zheng Zhajie, Director of the National Development and Reform Commission; Lan Fo’an, Minister of Finance; Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce; Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China; and Wu Qing, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on issues related to development and reform, fiscal budgeting, commerce, and finance and securities. The following is an excerpt from the press conference.
Question: I’d like to pose my question to Chairman Wu Qing. Recently, there has been extensive discussion about the fundamental functions of the capital market, and many are eager to hear your views on this issue, as well as your thoughts on how to strengthen regulatory oversight of the capital market. Thank you.
Wu Qing: Thank you for your question, and thank you to all of you here for your attention to the capital market. I have not yet completed my first month in this position; at present, I am still learning while working, with learning taking priority. On the one hand, I am further studying and thoroughly understanding the CPC Central Committee and the State Council’s decisions and arrangements on capital market work, and expediting their implementation. On the other hand, I am engaging with the market through research, soliciting opinions and suggestions from all stakeholders both online and offline.
In summing up, I was deeply moved and greatly inspired. Among the key issues that have been frequently raised—those mentioned earlier by the journalist—are the fundamental functions of our market. For instance, how to strike a balance between investment and financing, as well as between equity and efficiency, are matters that warrant careful examination.
With regard to investment and financing, I understand that the two are two sides of the same coin and inseparable. These two functions complement each other: without investment, there is no financing; without buyers, there are no sellers. Only when investment and financing develop in a balanced manner can the capital market establish a virtuous cycle. As for fairness and efficiency, I believe that efficient resource allocation under conditions of fair trading, rational pricing, and robust competition can drive high-quality development, thereby ensuring the capital market’s long-term vitality. However, given the significant disparities among market participants in terms of capital, technology, information, and other factors, regulators must pay particular attention to issues of fairness, making openness, equity, and impartiality the paramount principles. This is especially true in a market like ours, where small and medium-sized investors constitute the vast majority. Therefore, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of investors—particularly small and medium-sized investors—is the CSRC’s most critical priority, and it directly reflects the political nature and people‑centric ethos of capital market regulation.
Looking ahead, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the Central Financial Work Conference, officely anchoring ourselves to the overarching principles of robust regulation, risk prevention, and development. We will remain committed to a market‑oriented, law‑based approach, respect underlying trends and established rules, and further advance the high‑quality development of the capital market. Respecting underlying principles means, first and foremost, honoring market dynamics and economic laws, as well as the principles governing innovation. Respecting rules entails, above all, upholding the law and contractual obligations, while also adhering to internationally accepted technical standards. From a regulatory standpoint, our focus will center on two key words: strength and rigor.
Strong—meaning we must strengthen the fundamentals and lay a solid foundation. In terms of scale, China’s capital market is already the second largest globally, yet it remains insufficiently robust. Recent market volatility has once again highlighted some deep‑seated issues that warrant careful reflection. Investors are the lifeblood of the market, and listed companies form its bedrock; both investors and listed offices are the driving forces behind the capital market’s development. We must treat investors with sincerity and provide them with better services, further reinforcing investor protection through legal frameworks, institutional mechanisms, regulatory enforcement, and judicial processes, thereby bolstering their confidence and trust in the market and attracting more investors, particularly medium- and long-term capital. At the same time, we must focus on enhancing the quality of listed companies, enabling them to play an even more central role and increase their investment appeal. We will also coordinate closely with industry regulators—including relevant macro‑level authorities, shareholder entities, and local governments—to jointly support enterprises in becoming stronger and more competitive, and to foster a more conducive environment. Fundamentally, we must unswervingly deepen reform and opening up across the board, solidifying the institutional underpinnings for high‑quality development of the capital market.
With regard to “strictness,” it means enforcing rigorous oversight and management—regulating the market strictly in accordance with the law and managing our teams with strict discipline. The Central Financial Work Conference clearly stated that we must achieve full‑coverage regulation, strengthening institutional supervision, conduct‑based supervision, functional supervision,穿透式 (penetrative) supervision, and ongoing supervision. We will carefully benchmark ourselves against these standards, comprehensively review every sector, entity, and stage—whether in the stock market, the bond market, or the futures and derivatives markets—and swiftly address any regulatory gaps or weaknesses. We will remain vigilant, stepping up early corrective measures for troubled institutions and enterprises, promptly addressing all types of risks, cracking down hard on any illegal or non‑compliant behavior as soon as it surfaces, and imposing particularly stringent penalties on serious violations in key areas. In particular, we will take a office stance against offenses that cross red lines, such as financial fraud, market manipulation, and insider trading. As for team management, we will turn the blade inward, exercising strict oversight and discipline to ensure that our personnel are truly strong in political integrity, professional competence, work style, and廉洁 (integrity), thereby building an ironclad regulatory force. Thank you.
Question: My question is for Chairman Wu Qing. You just mentioned that “listed companies are the foundation of the market,” and that when investors buy stocks, they are essentially investing in listed companies. In your view, how can we enhance the quality of listed companies to deliver better returns to investors? Thank you.
Wu Qing: Thank you very much for this question. It is indeed a very important one. As you may have seen in the news lately, the China Securities Regulatory Commission and local governments have been visiting listed companies to help them address practical challenges. Enhancing the quality of listed companies is first and foremost the responsibility of the companies themselves, while also requiring improvements in the external environment. The CSRC’s primary mandate is to strengthen oversight across all stages of the market chain, working with all stakeholders to foster a sound market ecosystem and a world-class business environment. This will encourage listed companies to further improve their corporate governance, enhance information transparency, focus more on their core businesses, optimize resource allocation, operate with greater prudence, and deliver better returns to investors.
From a regulatory perspective, the main aspects are as follows:
First and foremost, we must strictly control the entry point. An enterprise’s IPO must never be pursued for the sole purpose of raising capital, nor should it ever involve falsification or fraudulent practices. Accordingly, every stage of the review and registration process must adhere rigorously to laws and regulations, with the utmost scrutiny, to ensure that issuers disclose information truthfully, accurately, and comprehensively, and to keep fraudsters officely out of the capital markets. At present, the CSRC conducts on-site inspections of companies under review, and stock exchanges also carry out on-site supervision; however, the scope of these inspections and supervisions remains quite limited. Going forward, we will substantially and exponentially expand their coverage, intensify enforcement against any identified violations, and uphold the principle that those who file applications must assume responsibility. This approach will compel issuers to further enhance the quality of their filings and encourage intermediary institutions to elevate their professional standards and service levels, ensuring they exercise due diligence and fulfill their duties conscientiously.
Second, we will focus on day-to-day operations and strengthen post‑listing supervision. At present, our priority is to address three key issues: First, preventing and cracking down on fraud. The CSRC is working with relevant authorities to establish a comprehensive system of prevention and punishment, enhance transparent, end‑to‑end oversight, and rigorously investigate and severely penalize financial fraud and illegal acts that infringe upon the interests of listed companies. Second, regulating share reductions. We will further close regulatory loopholes in cases where shareholders circumvent rules through “technical” divorces, short‑selling, or securities‑margin‑lending arrangements. For major shareholders and actual controllers who engage in unauthorized share reductions, we will impose strict legal penalties. Third, promoting dividend payouts. In recent years, the dividend practices of A‑share listed companies have steadily improved; however, many offices still fail to pay dividends, and the stability, timeliness, and predictability of dividends remain inadequate. For companies that have long refrained from paying dividends or maintain low payout ratios, we will adopt targeted measures tailored to specific circumstances, including restricting share reductions by controlling shareholders and imposing ST risk warnings, among others. We will also encourage eligible companies to distribute dividends more frequently throughout the year, particularly before the Spring Festival, so that investors can celebrate the New Year with greater satisfaction.
Third, we will ensure smooth exits. At present, many stakeholders are calling for a more vigorous push to delist companies, and we will translate this call into concrete action. On the one hand, we will establish stricter mandatory delisting criteria to ensure that all entities meeting the thresholds are delisted. On the other hand, we will refine policies such as absorption‑and‑merger mechanisms, further expanding diversified exit channels, while also encouraging and facilitating voluntary delistings. Both mandatory and voluntary delistings will be intensified in the next phase.
Fourth, we must ensure accountability is officely in place. To enhance the quality of listed companies, enterprises must assume primary and principal responsibility; controlling shareholders, actual controllers, and directors, supervisors, and senior management—those who constitute the “key few”—must take the lead. Regulatory authorities, industry regulators, local governments, and various professional intermediary institutions must also shoulder their respective duties without shirking responsibility.
It is important to emphasize that systems related to IPOs, M&A and restructuring, and equity incentives must also evolve with the times, further aligning with the needs and characteristics of the development of new‑type productive forces. Necessary adjustments and refinements should be made to enhance the inclusiveness and adaptability of these frameworks, enabling enterprises with genuine growth potential to thrive with the support of capital markets, continuously improving the structure of listed companies, and ensuring that investors can better share in the fruits of high‑quality economic development. Thank you.
Question: I’d like to pose my question to Chairman Wu Qing. Hello, Chairman Wu. This year’s Government Work Report calls for strengthening the intrinsic stability of the capital market. Could you please explain how this should be understood, and in what areas will efforts be advanced? Thank you.
Wu Qing: Thank you for your question. Many factors influence the functioning of capital markets, and the underlying mechanisms are quite complex. From a regulator’s perspective, strengthening the market’s endogenous stability mechanisms and enhancing its resilience are tasks that require in-depth research and concerted effort. At the same time, this is a systemic undertaking that calls for systematic thinking, a focus on minimum thresholds, and an awareness of extreme scenarios, with comprehensive policy measures. As I see it, this framework comprises at least “one cornerstone” and “five pillars.”
“A cornerstone” is a high-quality listed company. As we just discussed, issuers must be of high quality, and listed companies must first have sound corporate governance, deliver stable returns, or demonstrate promising growth prospects. Major shareholders, actual controllers, and management must always bear in mind that a listed company is a public entity, cultivate a sense of public responsibility, and continuously enhance its investment value.
“The Five Pillars”—the first is a more rational capital structure. Both short-term and long-term funding are needed in this market, but what’s most scarce is long-term capital. Equally lacking is a long-term mindset; we must also uphold the principles of value investing, rational investing, and long-term investment—this is something we are working hard to advance.
The second priority is to further refine the foundational institutional framework. Capital markets are subject to extremely high standards of regulation; we must deepen reform continuously, solidify all basic systems, and enhance their adaptability, stability, and predictability. For instance, whether in the primary or secondary market, we need to further improve pricing systems and mechanisms, enabling all participants to engage in orderly, fair, and full‑fledged competition, thereby better discovering prices and allocating resources more efficiently. Another example is quantitative trading, a topic that has sparked widespread debate: how can we, in light of China’s national conditions and market realities, maximize benefits while minimizing risks, further strengthen fairness, implement effective oversight, and ensure sound, well‑regulated development? These are all areas where institutional arrangements still require further refinement.
Third, we need a more effective market‑based regulatory mechanism. Market supply and demand, along with prices, are the decisive factors that drive spontaneous adjustment and self‑balancing in the market. For instance, how to ensure seamless integration and orderly circulation between the primary and secondary markets, thereby achieving coordinated development, is a mechanism that requires further refinement.
Fourth, we must deliver higher‑quality professional services. This encompasses securities offices, fund management companies, futures offices, investment management institutions, accounting and law offices, as well as valuation and rating agencies—each of which should further return to its core mission, exercise due diligence, prioritize functionality, continuously elevate the standard of its professional services, rigorously safeguard market integrity, and provide even more high‑caliber support.
Fifth, we will strengthen regulatory enforcement. In recent months, the China Securities Regulatory Commission has launched a series of more stringent enforcement measures, and we will continue to uphold rigorous oversight. For serious violations of laws and regulations—particularly those that constitute criminal offenses—we will enhance coordination between administrative and criminal proceedings, ensuring that, alongside criminal liability, civil liability is also pursued where appropriate. Just days ago, we referred a batch of cases involving market manipulation and insider trading—cases that warrant criminal prosecution—with the aim of safeguarding the market’s principles of fairness, openness, and impartiality, more effectively protecting investors’ legitimate rights and interests, fostering a clean and upright market environment, and encouraging all market participants to respect the law, uphold integrity, and fulfill their respective responsibilities. This is essential for ensuring the stable functioning of the market.
Of course, we must recognize that markets operate according to their own inherent rules and should not be unduly interfered with under normal circumstances. However, when the market deviates sharply from fundamentals—experiencing extreme volatility driven by irrationality, liquidity shortages, widespread panic, or a severe loss of confidence—we must act decisively to correct market failures. In this regard, we have already implemented several effective measures and will continue to refine and improve the relevant mechanisms to officely guard against systemic risks. Thank you.

The Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges jointly hosted a training session on trading compliance for quantitative private equity offices.
Recently, the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange jointly hosted a training session on trading compliance for quantitative private equity offices, helping these institutions promptly and accurately grasp the regulatory framework and operational requirements for quantitative trading, thereby enhancing their compliance standards and mitigating associated risks. The event was attended by executives and key personnel from 28 leading quantitative private equity offices.

During this training session, the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges presented typical cases of abnormal trading in quantitative strategies, outlined their overarching regulatory approach to quantitative trading, and explicitly required quantitative private‑fund managers to strengthen internal risk‑control measures. They emphasized the need to prevent any circumstances during trading that could compromise the security of exchange systems or disrupt normal market order, thereby ensuring that quantitative trading practices are properly standardized, compliance requirements are fully met, and the stable functioning of the market is safeguarded.

Since the beginning of this year, the Shanghai Stock Exchange has strengthened its oversight of quantitative trading, responding swiftly and taking decisive action against abnormal trading activities and violations that disrupt market order and harm investors’ legitimate rights and interests. Moving forward, the Exchange will remain committed to an investor‑centric approach, making fairness the cornerstone of its work. In line with the China Securities Regulatory Commission’s unified deployment, it will accelerate the establishment and refinement of regulatory frameworks for quantitative trading, further expand the scope and reach of compliance training, standardize quantitative trading practices, safeguard orderly market operations, and protect investors’ lawful rights and interests.

Commercial & Corporate
Many localities have released their 2023 Statistical Bulletins on National Economic and Social Development.
Recently, many localities have released their 2023 Statistical Bulletins on National Economic and Social Development, with the specific data as follows:
China’s gross domestic product for the year totaled 126.0582 trillion yuan, up 5.2% from the previous year. At year-end, the total number of employed persons nationwide stood at 740.41 million, of whom 470.32 million were employed in urban areas, accounting for 63.5% of the national workforce. Throughout the year, 12.44 million new urban jobs were created, an increase of 380,000 over the previous year. — Statistical Bulletin on National Economic and Social Development, 2023
In 2023, Zhejiang Province recorded per capita disposable incomes of RMB 63,830 for urban residents, RMB 74,997 for rural residents, and RMB 40,311 for all residents, representing year-on-year increases of 5.9%, 5.2%, and 7.3%, respectively. Per capita regional GDP reached RMB 125,043, up 5.3%. Throughout the year, 1.163 million new urban jobs were created, and employment assistance was provided to 110,000 individuals facing difficulties. The average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 4.6%, below the target threshold of 5%. — Statistical Bulletin on National Economic and Social Development of Zhejiang Province, 2023
For the year, the per capita disposable income of all residents in the province reached 39,890 yuan, up 6.2% from the previous year. Throughout the year, 1.245 million new urban jobs were created, achieving 113.2% of the annual target. — Statistical Bulletin on National Economic and Social Development of Shandong Province, 2023

The National Mine Safety Administration has issued a document to strengthen emergency rescue operations in mines.
On March 5, the website of the National Mine Safety Administration released the “Notice on Strengthening Emergency Rescue Efforts in Mines.”
The Notice comprises four sections and fifteen provisions, stipulating that mining enterprises shall prepare emergency response plans, establish mine emergency rescue teams in accordance with relevant regulations, conduct at least one drill of their production safety accident emergency response plan every six months, and, prior to each flood season, submit requests to and assist local people’s governments in organizing joint drills between tailings‑pond “overlying‑dam” operators and downstream residents. Furthermore, such enterprises must carry out an assessment of their emergency response plans at least once every three years, and any revised plans must be re‑filed in accordance with prescribed procedures. When hazardous conditions or signs of an accident are detected, a prompt order to suspend operations and evacuate personnel must be issued. In cases where inadequate emergency preparedness leads to improper emergency response, delayed rescue actions, reckless command, imprudent risk‑taking, or the failure of rescue equipment—thereby exacerbating the accident—relevant entities and individuals shall be held accountable in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation has issued the “2024 Shanghai Local Standards Project Initiation Guidelines.”
On March 4, the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation published on its website the “Notice on Issuing the ‘2024 Shanghai Local Standards Project Initiation Guidelines.’”
The “Project Initiation Guidelines” specify that the key areas and specific scopes for the initiation of Shanghai local standards this year are as follows:
1. Social Governance: workplace safety, safety of special equipment, risk prevention and control, emergency management, disaster prevention and mitigation, fire safety, public transportation, water resources and marine affairs, meteorology, urban appearance and environmental sanitation, and more.
2. Public Services: government services, public health, elderly care services, public education, public culture, public sports, smart healthcare, information security, and the development of barrier-free environments, among others.
3. Industry/High-Tech: hydrogen energy, new-energy vehicles, biopharmaceuticals, aerospace, electronic information, life and health, green and low-carbon energy equipment, advanced materials, intelligent transportation, the industrial internet, the fashion consumer goods industry, and the digital transformation of manufacturing, among others.
4. Service Sector: Information technology services such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and the metaverse; productivity‑oriented internet service platforms; shipping, finance, technology transfer and commercialization, modern logistics, advanced supply chains, human resources, and convention and exhibition services; as well as e‑commerce, modern commerce and trade, domestic services, esports, health and sports, cultural and creative industries, and tourism.
5. Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection: ecological environment quality, ecological risk management and control, ecological governance and restoration, pollutant emissions, comprehensive resource utilization, product carbon footprints, carbon emission management, energy consumption limits, green and low-carbon design, retrofitting, and management, as well as energy-saving and environmental protection services, among others.
6. Agriculture and Rural Areas: seed industry, green agriculture, smart agriculture, agricultural equipment, and nutritional quality assessment; rural living environments, rural governance, and digital villages, among others.

China’s first smart charging and battery-swapping demonstration zone for electric vehicles has been completed in Jiangsu Province.
Recently, China’s first smart charging and battery‑swapping demonstration zone for electric vehicles was completed in Jiangsu Province. By enabling efficient interaction among new‑energy vehicles, charging/battery‑swapping stations, and the urban power grid, the system has shifted from a “vehicle waiting for a charger” model to one where “the charger matches the vehicle.”
This demonstration zone for charging and battery‑swapping covers the areas of Suzhou, Wuxi, and Changzhou, spanning nearly 500 square kilometers. It comprises approximately 1,300 charging stations and is expected to serve over 500,000 new‑energy vehicle owners. Within the zone, average monthly queue times for charging are projected to decrease by nearly 50%, further boosting the utilization rate of charging infrastructure and helping address the issue of uneven resource allocation.

Shanghai Issues Compliance Guidelines for Advertising and Promotion in the Cosmetics Industry
On March 6, the Shanghai Advertising Supervision and Management Website released the “Shanghai Municipal Guidelines on Compliance in Cosmetic Industry Advertising.”
The Guidelines comprise seven chapters and forty-one articles, stipulating that cosmetic manufacturers and operators must integrate the management of cosmetic advertising into their corporate compliance frameworks. They are required to strengthen end-to-end oversight over ad creative design, production, dissemination, and public‑opinion response; enhance pre‑launch risk assessments, post‑launch monitoring, and emergency‑response protocols; and refrain from promoting cosmetics that have been illegally compounded by operators. Furthermore, products claiming functions such as hair dyeing, perming, spot‑removal and whitening, sun protection, or hair loss prevention are classified as special‑purpose cosmetics. Specifically, advertisements for hair‑loss‑prevention products must not use claims such as “regulating hormonal effects,” “promoting hair growth,” or similar language; likewise, anti‑wrinkle product ads should avoid expressions like “eliminating wrinkles” or “removing wrinkles.” Cosmetic advertisements must not make any references to disease‑treatment claims, nor may they feature minors under the age of ten as brand ambassadors.

The Shanghai Municipal Market Supervision Administration has launched a special inspection and supervision campaign on fire safety for electric bicycles.
On March 4, the Shanghai Municipal Market Supervision Administration published the “Notice on Conducting a Special Inspection and Supervision Campaign on Fire Safety for Electric Bicycles” on its website.
The Notice specifies that the key priorities are to strengthen quality supervision and inspection of electric bicycles and their components, tighten oversight of mandatory certification for electric bicycles, and crack down on illegal practices in the commercial modification, addition, and alteration of such vehicles. It calls for ongoing random inspections of the quality of electric bicycles, batteries, and chargers; the public disclosure of inspection results in accordance with the law; strict follow-up actions on non‑compliant products; and enhanced regulation of mandatory certification activities for electric bicycle products within the jurisdiction. Particular emphasis will be placed on investigating and prosecuting violations such as the manufacture and sale of electric bicycles that have not undergone mandatory certification, as well as the forgery, falsification, or unauthorized use of certification certificates. Any commercial modifications involving batteries, motors, or speed limiters will be subject to stringent and severe penalties.

Shenzhen Qianhai has released the 2024 Application Guidelines for Supporting the Agglomeration of High-End Legal Services in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Legal Services Zone.
On March 6, the Shenzhen Municipal Government website published the “Guidelines for Applying to Support the Agglomeration of High-End Legal Services in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Legal Services Zone.”
The Guidelines specify that the application period is from March 6, 2024, to May 15, 2024. A one-time subsidy of RMB 2 million will be granted to renowned overseas law offices that establish a joint venture with nationally top-tier domestic law offices; a one-time subsidy of RMB 1.5 million will be provided to such joint ventures involving non‑top‑tier domestic law offices; and a one-time subsidy of RMB 1.5 million will be awarded to renowned overseas law offices that set up representative offices in China.

Shenzhen has issued a document requiring the effective implementation of the 2023 pilot program for carbon emissions trading.
On March 7, the Shenzhen Municipal Government website published the “Notice on Effectively Carrying Out the 2023 Carbon Emission Trading Pilot Program.”
The Notice specifies that the deadline for submitting carbon emission reports by key emitting entities is March 31, 2024. Key emitting entities shall, in accordance with Shenzhen’s technical specifications for carbon emission quantification and reporting, prepare greenhouse gas quantification reports and inventories using a standardized template, and upload these documents—bearing the official seal of the entity—through the “Shenzhen Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau Greenhouse Gas Emission Information Management System.” The deadline for submitting special audit reports on value-added data for key emitting entities is April 15, 2024.

Shenzhen is publicly soliciting feedback on unfair standard contract terms in the city’s consumer sector.
On March 6, the Shenzhen Municipal Administration for Market Regulation published the “Notice on Public Solicitation of Unfair Standard Contract Terms in the Consumer Sector of Our City.”
The Notice clarifies that, from the date of its issuance until April 30, 2024, the Shenzhen Market Supervision Administration will conduct a citywide public solicitation of unfair standard contract terms in the consumer sector, with a particular focus on such terms found in contracts used by business districts, shopping centers, large department stores, supermarkets, and other industries and sectors. Following the conclusion of this solicitation, the Municipal Market Supervision Administration and the Municipal Consumer Rights Protection Committee will convene relevant experts to categorize and analyze the collected unfair standard contract terms, and will publicly comment on selected representative clauses to urge operators to make necessary corrections.

Ministry of Finance: In 2024, budget allocations for education, social security, and employment will all exceed 4 trillion yuan.
At the meeting, Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an stated that in recent years, the fiscal authorities have steadily increased the “people‑centric” focus of budgetary allocations and continuously enhanced the “people‑friendly” impact of policy measures. Policy safeguards in areas such as employment, education, social security, healthcare, housing, and ecological environment have been steadily improved, with growing levels of investment. In 2024, budgetary allocations for education, social security, and employment will each exceed 4 trillion yuan. Going forward, the fiscal authorities will remain committed to doing their utmost within their means, prioritizing issues that are most pressing, difficult, and concerning to the public, and continuing to ramp up fiscal spending.

Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security: Deploys measures to bring public employment services closer to the grassroots level.
Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued the “Opinions on Promoting the Extension of Public Employment Services to the Grassroots Level,” aiming to establish, within two to three years, a number of model grassroots employment service centers that will serve as benchmarks and provide leadership. The initiative seeks to accelerate the development of a grassroots employment service system characterized by seamless vertical integration, interconnected operations, and data interoperability, thereby enhancing the equity and accessibility of public employment services.
The “Opinions” set forth five key tasks. First, expand service coverage to the grassroots level by establishing employment service outlets in high‑traffic areas and industrial clusters, thereby creating an employment service network that spans both urban and rural areas and is conveniently accessible. Second, extend information services to the grassroots by connecting online platforms to disseminate job vacancy listings, facilitating effective matching between supply and demand, and supporting streets (townships) and communities (villages) in delivering targeted employment services and priority assistance. Third, deploy service personnel to the grassroots by assigning staff from county‑level public employment service agencies to frontline service centers to provide employment support, while regularly dispatching career counselors and experts in public employment and entrepreneurship to these centers to offer on‑site assistance. Fourth, adapt service models to local conditions by exploring user‑friendly approaches such as appointment‑based services, door‑to‑door outreach, agency‑based assistance, and remote services, and by encouraging coordinated delivery of employment services between grassroots outlets and public employment service institutions. Fifth, strengthen support for grassroots services by fostering a diversified array of service providers and delivery methods, and by establishing and refining a mechanism for government procurement of public employment services.

The head of the drafting team interprets the Government Work Report and addresses issues related to attracting foreign investment and the development of private enterprises.
On March 5, the State Council Information Office held a briefing to interpret the Government Work Report. Huang Shouhong, head of the drafting group for the Government Work Report and Director of the Research Office of the State Council, attended the briefing and answered questions from reporters.
Regarding the attraction of foreign investment, the head of the report’s drafting team stated that, in renminbi terms, China’s FDI inflows slowed by 8% last year, yet remained relatively stable both horizontally and vertically. The report proposes that in 2024, institutional openness will be steadily expanded, market access for foreign investors will continue to be eased, restrictions on foreign investment entry in the manufacturing sector will be comprehensively lifted, and market access in service sectors such as telecommunications and healthcare will also be relaxed. At the same time, policy measures that undermine fair competition between domestic and foreign enterprises will undergo regular reviews and rectification. In bolstering confidence in the private sector, existing policies will be fully implemented and refined, with particular emphasis on establishing a long-term mechanism to prevent and resolve payment arrears, increasing the share of loans extended to private enterprises, continuously improving the business environment, and promoting the spirit of outstanding entrepreneurs.

The Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress presented an explanation of the draft amendment to the Organic Law of the State Council.
On March 6, the website of the National People’s Congress of China published the “Explanation on the Draft Amendment to the Organic Law of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.”
The draft amendment comprises 20 articles, primarily adding provisions that define the nature and status of the State Council, clarifying its guiding principles, refining the articulation of its powers and functions, revising relevant provisions concerning its members, and updating regulations on its institutions and their respective powers. It also seeks to improve the State Council’s meeting system and introduce institutional measures to ensure that the State Council performs its duties comprehensively and in accordance with the law.

The draft 2024 Plan for National Economic and Social Development outlines ten key tasks.
On March 5, the National Development and Reform Commission submitted to the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress for review the “Report on the Implementation of the 2023 Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Draft 2024 Plan for National Economic and Social Development.”
The report is broadly consistent with the Government Work Report, summarizing the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development, setting out the overall requirements, key objectives, and policy orientations for 2024, and outlining the principal tasks of the 2024 plan for national economic and social development.

The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has issued 18 guidelines to deepen the innovation and performance‑driving initiatives among young employees of central enterprises.
On March 5, the website of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council issued the “Notice on the Issuance of the ‘Opinions on Deepening Youth Innovation and Efficiency‑Improvement Activities in Central Enterprises in the New Era and on the New Journey.’”
The “Opinions” set forth 18 key measures across five areas: (1) Enhancing young people’s capabilities in innovation and value creation; (2) Strengthening the development of platforms and mechanisms to support youth-driven innovation and value creation; (3) Cultivating talent for youth-led innovation and value creation; (4) Ensuring the practical application of youth‑centered innovation and value‑creation outcomes; and (5) Building an enabling ecosystem for youth innovation and value creation.

The State Council Information Office held a briefing to introduce policies related to the facilitation of cross-border payments and other relevant measures.
On March 1, the State Council Information Office held a regular policy briefing, during which the People’s Bank of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, and four other departments provided an update on measures to further optimize payment services and enhance payment convenience.
At the meeting, it was clarified that banks and payment institutions will further streamline account‑opening procedures, implement tiered and categorized account management in a prudent manner, and continuously enhance the quality of their account services. Authorities will also guide major payment providers such as Alipay and Tenpay to raise the per‑transaction limit for foreign nationals using mobile payments in China from USD 1,000 to USD 5,000. Currently, all leading mobile payment apps have undergone age‑friendly upgrades, and more than 96% of bank branches nationwide have completed accessibility renovations. In addition, manual ticketing counters and traditional paper‑ticket verification methods will remain in place to facilitate offline ticket purchases and travel for elderly individuals and international visitors.

Two departments have issued the “Guidance on Building a Standard System for Urban Operation and Management Service Platforms.”
On March 5, the website of the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development issued the “Notice on the Issuance of the ‘Guidance on Building a Standard System for Urban Operation and Management Service Platforms.’”
The Guidelines clearly state that, in pursuit of the goals of ensuring urban operations are safe, efficient, and healthy; maintaining urban management that is clean, orderly, and well‑organized; and delivering public services that are precise, meticulous, and refined, the standard system for the urban operation, management, and service platform is divided into four components—basic and general standards, operation and monitoring standards, management and supervision standards, and service and evaluation standards—aligned with the platform’s business logic. Specifically, the operation and monitoring standards focus on “safe, efficient, and healthy urban operations,” setting forth relevant monitoring requirements and design specifications for monitoring information systems across key areas such as municipal infrastructure, buildings, transportation facilities, and densely populated zones. The management and supervision standards center on “clean, orderly, and well‑organized urban management,” establishing information‑based regulatory standards and system design requirements for comprehensive urban management domains including municipal utilities, urban appearance and sanitation, landscape greening, and urban management enforcement. Meanwhile, the service and evaluation standards emphasize “precise, meticulous, and refined public services” and articulate standardized management requirements for the long‑term operational mechanisms necessary to support the urban operation, management, and service platform.

The General Administration of Customs has issued the Measures for the Filing and Administration of Raw Material Aquaculture Farms for Exported Aquatic Products.
Recently, the General Administration of Customs issued the “Announcement on the Promulgation of the Measures for the Filing and Administration of Raw Material Farms for Exported Aquatic Products.”
The Measures consist of three chapters and sixteen articles, stipulating that export‑eligible aquaculture farms must be located in areas free from pollution sources such as livestock and poultry farms, hospitals, chemical plants, and waste disposal sites. The farm’s ponds or net cages must bear standardized identification numbers, and the facility must maintain separate, dedicated warehouses for pharmaceuticals and feed. A designated person shall be responsible for maintaining accurate records of incoming and outgoing inventory, and no prohibited drugs or other toxic and hazardous substances—whether banned in China or in the importing country (or region)—may be stored or used. If an export‑qualified aquaculture farm submits false supply‑certification documents, transfers or otherwise diverts its registration number, or conceals a major aquatic disease outbreak or fails to report it to customs in a timely manner, its registration will be revoked, and it will be barred from reapplying for a period of two years.

Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area is launching the application process for the 2024 Special Incentive Program to Support Corporate IPOs.
On March 4, the Beijing Municipal Government website published the “Notice on Launching the Application Process for the 2024 Special Award Program to Support Corporate IPOs.”
The Notice clarifies that the application process for the 2024 Special Incentive Program to Support Corporate IPOs is now open. From March 5 to March 18, 2024, applicants may access the policy‑implementation module on the Economic Development Zone’s official website, register and log in to the Comprehensive Policy‑Implementation Service Platform, and then submit their project applications. The Notice also includes, as an attachment, the “2024 Guidelines for Applying for the Special Incentive Program to Support Corporate IPOs.”

Shanghai has issued guidelines to standardize the formulation and management of benchmarks for administrative discretion.
On March 5, the Shanghai Municipal Government website published the “Notice on Issuing the ‘Opinions on Further Standardizing the Formulation and Management of Standards for Administrative Discretionary Powers.’”
The “Opinions” comprise five key areas, stipulating that the responsibilities for formulating discretionary‑power standards must be strictly fulfilled; that the content of such standards must be precisely defined; that their application and management must be continuously improved; and that, in refining procedural requirements and application‑submission criteria, no additional or overly stringent conditions may be imposed, nor may unnecessary or duplicate documents be demanded. In principle, applicants shall not be required to submit certificates issued by this agency or its subordinate units, materials already collected during prior administrative processes, or information that can be obtained through data sharing. Furthermore, unless explicitly authorized by law, no additional steps—such as seeking approval from higher authorities or soliciting opinions from other agencies—may be introduced.

The Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation has issued a document to further advance the pilot reform of administrative licensing matters in the field of metrology.
On March 5, the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation published the “Notice on Further Advancing the Pilot Reform of Administrative Licensing Matters in the Field of Metrology.”
The Notice clarifies that, for business entities whose registered address and actual place of production are both located in the Pudong New Area or Fengxian District of Shanghai, the administrative licensing procedure for applying for the classification and certification of secondary reference materials has been delegated from the State Administration for Market Regulation to the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation. Furthermore, enterprises and public institutions that manufacture new reference material products must undergo classification and certification and obtain a reference material classification certificate following an assessment; and the re‑examination and reassessment of metrological standard instruments will be conducted under a notification‑and‑commitment system.

National Development and Reform Commission: Stabilize employment to boost incomes, and increase the share of labor compensation in primary distribution.
On March 5, the National Development and Reform Commission submitted to the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress for review the “Report on the Implementation of the 2023 Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Draft 2024 Plan for National Economic and Social Development.”
The draft emphasizes the need to effectively safeguard and improve people’s livelihoods, enhance their well-being, and stabilize employment while boosting incomes. It calls for implementing initiatives to promote employment in advanced manufacturing, successfully carrying out a three-year program to boost youth employment, optimizing recruitment and hiring practices for policy-driven positions in government agencies, public institutions, and state-owned enterprises, accelerating the restructuring of university disciplines and majors, launching vocational skills training for one million young people, and vigorously advancing entrepreneurship‑support measures, all aimed at increasing the share of labor compensation in primary distribution.

Government Work Report: The 2024 GDP growth target is set at 5%
On March 5, Premier Li Qiang, on behalf of the State Council, delivered the Government Work Report to the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress. The report reviewed the achievements of 2023, outlined the overall objectives and policy directions for economic and social development in 2024, and set forth ten key tasks for the government in the coming year.
The report proposes strengthening macroeconomic policy adjustments that counteract cyclical fluctuations and span multiple economic cycles, while continuing to implement an active fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy. It sets the projected growth target for this year’s gross domestic product at around 5% and plans to maintain the deficit-to-GDP ratio at 3%. Under the first priority of its work agenda, the report identifies several key emerging and future industries—such as intelligent connected new-energy vehicles, next-generation hydrogen energy, advanced materials, innovative pharmaceuticals, bio-manufacturing, commercial space, the low‑altitude economy, and quantum technologies—and calls for launching an “AI Plus” initiative to build internationally competitive digital industry clusters. Government investment will focus on supporting technological innovation, new infrastructure, and efforts to conserve energy, reduce emissions, and cut carbon footprints.

The Cyberspace Administration of China convened the National Conference on Cyber Law and Governance.
The Cyberspace Administration of China convened the National Conference on Cyber Law in Tianjin. The meeting reviewed and summarized the achievements and lessons learned over the past 30 years in advancing cyber law, analyzed the new circumstances and tasks facing cyber‑law work, and outlined plans for 2024.
The meeting emphasized that work on cyber rule of law must strengthen overall coordination and pool collective efforts, ensure the effective implementation of guiding opinions on bolstering cyber rule of law in the new era, deepen the development of the cyber rule-of-law system, and launch a series of summaries and publicity campaigns marking “Thirty Years of China’s Cyber Rule of Law.” Cyber legislation should focus on overarching trends and serve the broader national agenda, centering on the missions and tasks of cyberspace governance to refine and improve the legal framework for the internet. The building of a law-based government in the cyberspace domain must be advanced in depth and guided by scientific standards, with principal responsibilities officely enforced, decision-making conducted in accordance with the law, and law enforcement carried out strictly,规范ly, impartially, and with civility. Public awareness-raising on cyber rule of law should be innovatively implemented to enhance quality and efficiency, employing creative approaches and targeting key audiences, strengthening institutional capacity and outreach, and continuously consolidating, deepening, and innovating the nationwide framework for legal education. In the realm of international cyber rule of law, efforts must be coordinated both domestically and internationally, with proactive engagement, balancing development and security within a high‑level opening-up framework, comprehensively enhancing the ability to safeguard openness and security in accordance with the law, and actively participating in and leading the formulation of international rules. Research on cyber rule of law should be problem‑oriented and provide robust support, elevating its contribution to policy‑making, refining talent‑development pathways, and reinforcing the role of think tanks as strategic pillars.

The Ministry of Public Security has launched the “Kunlun 2024” special operation, cracking down rigorously on crimes in the food, drug, environmental protection, and intellectual property sectors.
The national public security organs convened a mobilization and deployment meeting for the “Kunlun 2024” special operation, vowing to crack down rigorously on crimes in the food, drug, environmental protection, and intellectual property sectors.
The meeting emphasized the need to intensify targeted enforcement efforts, focusing on pressing issues in environmental protection as well as the security of critical strategic resources, ecological safety, food and drug safety, industrial development security, and workplace and daily-life safety, while launching special campaigns and mounting concentrated operations to solve key cases. It also called for strengthened inter‑agency cooperation, closer coordination between administrative and criminal law enforcement, and the refinement of joint remediation mechanisms and systems for reporting and feedback on emerging problems. Furthermore, it urged the effective implementation of local government responsibilities and corporate accountability, with a strong emphasis on addressing root causes at their source.

Zhejiang Province has established the “Three Letters and One Letter” system for antitrust enforcement.
Recently, the Zhejiang Administration for Market Regulation published on its website the “Notice on Establishing the ‘Three Letters and One Letter’ System for Antitrust Enforcement.”
The Notice specifies seven circumstances under which the Provincial Market Supervision Administration or the Office of the Provincial Fair Competition Review and Anti-Monopoly Commission may issue a “Reminding and Urging Letter,” six circumstances for issuing a “Notice of Interview,” four circumstances in which the Provincial Market Supervision Administration shall, in accordance with the law, initiate an investigation and issue a “Notice of Initiation of Investigation” to the party concerned, and two circumstances in which the Provincial Market Supervision Administration shall, in accordance with the law, render an administrative penalty decision and prepare an “Administrative Penalty Decision.” Furthermore, where, following an initiated investigation, an administrative agency is found to have abused its administrative power to exclude or restrict competition, the Provincial Market Supervision Administration may prepare an “Administrative Recommendation” and submit to the relevant higher-level authority a recommendation for lawful handling.

The United States will conduct a national security risk review of China-made connected vehicles, the Ministry of Commerce has responded.
Recently, the U.S. government issued a notice announcing that it will conduct a national security risk review of connected vehicles manufactured in China. In response, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce expressed grave concern, stating that China will continue to closely monitor the developments of the U.S. review and, if necessary, take robust measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated that, in recent years, the U.S. side has imposed hefty tariffs on Chinese automobiles, restricted their participation in government procurement, and introduced discriminatory subsidy policies. Now, under the guise of national security, it seeks to erect non-tariff barriers—clearly protectionist measures that will disrupt and distort global automotive industry and supply chains, while also harming the interests of American consumers. China urges the U.S. side to respect market principles and create a level playing field for businesses from all countries.

Taxation
Ministry of Finance: In 2024, it will study fiscal and tax policies to encourage and guide consumption and further refine regional fiscal and tax policies.
On March 7, the Ministry of Finance website released the “2023 Report on the Implementation of China’s Fiscal Policy,” reviewing the outcomes of fiscal policy in 2023 and outlining the fiscal policy framework for 2024.
The Report notes that, over the course of the year, nationwide tax and fee reductions, along with tax refunds and deferrals, exceeded RMB 2.2 trillion, with approximately RMB 1.57 trillion in new tax and fee cuts and about RMB 650 billion in carryforward VAT refunds. Small, medium, and micro enterprises, as well as the manufacturing sector, were among the primary beneficiaries. In 2024, the Ministry of Finance will moderately strengthen its proactive fiscal policy while enhancing its quality and effectiveness. On the front of “moderate strengthening,” it will ensure the precise and efficient implementation of structural tax and fee reduction measures, with a particular focus on supporting technological innovation and the development of the manufacturing sector. In terms of “improving quality and boosting efficiency,” it will study fiscal and tax policies to encourage and guide consumption, thereby fostering new growth drivers in the consumer sector. Furthermore, it will refine fiscal and tax policies to support major regional strategies, optimize the design of relevant systems, and steadily advance the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

2024 Draft Central and Local Budgets: Resolutely curb illegal practices such as tax incentives and tax rebates in local investment promotion.
On March 5, the Ministry of Finance submitted to the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress for review the “Report on the Implementation of the 2023 Central and Local Budgets and the Draft 2024 Central and Local Budgets.”
With regard to the draft central and local budgets for 2024, the Report sets out the overarching requirement of fully implementing structural tax and fee reduction policies, with a particular focus on supporting technological innovation and the development of the manufacturing sector. It calls for optimizing tax and fee policies to enhance their precision and effectiveness. The Report further proposes strengthening financial support for technological upgrading in manufacturing enterprises and putting into effect investment‑related tax incentives for such upgrades. It also emphasizes the implementation of policies such as pre‑tax additional deductions for R&D expenses and tax exemptions or reductions for the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, thereby encouraging greater enterprise participation in major national science and technology projects. In addition, the Report underscores the importance of upholding a unified system of fair competition, treating all types of market entities equally in terms of fiscal subsidies and tax and fee preferences, and resolutely curbing harmful competitive practices—such as illegal tax rebates—in local efforts to attract investment. Finally, it calls for studying and establishing a sound fiscal and tax policy framework aligned with the “dual carbon” goals, strictly enforcing the Environmental Protection Tax Law, and exploring the inclusion of volatile organic compounds within the scope of environmental protection taxation.

Shanghai: Exploring the Concurrent Processing of Business License Cancellation and Tax Registration Cancellation to Facilitate the Exit of Market Entities
Recently, five departments, including the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation and the Tax Service Bureau, jointly issued the “Opinions on Comprehensively Deepening Reforms to Facilitate the Exit of Business Entities.” The document has already entered into force and will remain in effect until February 17, 2029.
The Opinions stipulate that the scope of application for simplified deregistration shall be clearly defined. Simplified deregistration applies to all types of enterprises and specialized farmer cooperatives, except for listed joint-stock companies. For individually owned businesses processed under the simplified deregistration procedure, no public notice is required; instead, the registration authority will transmit the application to the tax authorities. The procedures and supporting documents for the deregistration of bankrupt enterprises are also streamlined: submission of a tax clearance certificate is waived, and the mandatory publication of a deregistration notice is eliminated. Furthermore, the Opinions call for the implementation of a fully electronic deregistration reform, introducing new services such as digital signatures and the mailing and return of business licenses, while exploring the possibility of synchronizing business license deregistration with tax deregistration.

Litigation & Arbitration
The Supreme People’s Court has released the second batch of selected Q&A entries from the Legal Answers Website.
The Supreme People’s Court has released a selection of Q&A from the Legal Answers Website (second batch), comprising five questions that address issues such as the validity of Bitcoin “mining” contracts, the right of a general guarantor to raise the defense of prior suit in cases where the guarantee contract is invalid, whether customer information qualifies as a trade secret, the basis for enforcement when a second-instance court upholds the original judgment, and the determination of residential burglary during the period when home renovations are being carried out.
In Question 3, the Supreme People’s Court clarified that, in most cases, the essence of an infringement upon the commercial secrets of customer information is that the infringer, by virtue of the infringing act, saves the time and monetary costs associated with gathering such information. Moreover, the protection of commercial secrets relating to customer information is typically subject to a time limit. If the underlying information indeed possesses commercial value, is sufficiently voluminous, and is difficult to obtain, it may also satisfy the requirements of both value and confidentiality, thereby qualifying as a commercial secret; however, this determination must be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances of each matter.

The Supreme People’s Court and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation have issued ten guidelines to provide higher-quality litigation services for persons with disabilities.
Recently, the Supreme People’s Court and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation jointly issued the “Ten Measures for Providing Higher-Quality Litigation Services to Persons with Disabilities,” accelerating efforts to build barrier-free environments at litigation service centers and better safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of persons with disabilities.
The Opinions propose to improve the construction of barrier-free facilities, strengthen accessible information exchange, provide refined litigation services, fully safeguard the right of persons with disabilities to bring lawsuits, establish a “top‑to‑top” online multi‑party dispute resolution mechanism, innovate mediation and dispute‑resolution models, set up a coordinated mechanism for addressing law‑related and litigation‑related complaints, effectively advance source‑based governance of disputes, enhance joint public legal education and awareness‑raising efforts, and establish communication and coordination mechanisms. Accompanying the Opinions is the “Norms for Building Barrier-Free Environments at People’s Courts’ Litigation Service Centers.”

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate has issued the first batch of typical cases promoting the integration of the core socialist values into the rule of law.
On March 6, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate website published the “Notice on Issuing the ‘Typical Cases of Procuratorial Organs Actively Fulfilling Their Duties in Accordance with the Law to Promote the Integration of Socialist Core Values into the Rule of Law (First Batch)’.”
This batch of typical cases comprises six instances. In Case Four, a female worker, surnamed Hao, suffered unlawful and unfair treatment from an electronics company during her pregnancy, and her husband, who also worked at the same company, was similarly affected and forced to resign. The procuratorate appointed two legal aid attorneys to support the labor arbitration proceedings and facilitated a settlement between Ms. Hao and the company, resulting in the electronics company paying Ms. Hao over RMB 94,000 in a lump sum. Meanwhile, upon discovering that nearly 200 other female employees had likewise been subjected to unlawful and unjust treatment, the procuratorate promptly convened a hearing, issued a pre-litigation prosecutorial recommendation urging the company to establish a system for protecting women workers, and coordinated with ten other departments to issue a notice establishing a long-term mechanism for safeguarding women’s rights.

The Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, and the Ministry of Public Security, together with the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, have issued a Q&A regarding the Twelfth Amendment to the Criminal Law.
On March 1, the Twelfth Amendment to the Criminal Law officially came into force. Relevant officials from the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress held a press conference to address questions regarding the amendment.
The Q&A clarifies that this amendment explicitly lists seven categories of serious bribery offenses and stipulates that such acts shall be subject to enhanced penalties. It also revises and increases the penalties for corporate bribery and makes corresponding adjustments to the statutory penalties for corporate bribery and other bribery-related crimes. Emphasis is placed on reversing the prevailing mindset among law enforcement and case-handling personnel that prioritizes cracking down on受贿 (acceptance of bribes) while neglecting 投行贿 (giving bribes). In cases involving these specified types of bribery, authorities should, as a general rule, refrain from arbitrarily refraining from referral or imposing lenient sanctions; instead, they must apply a strict standard in handling such matters. The Q&A further notes that, in disputes arising among internal shareholders or family members, it is essential to carefully delineate the boundaries between criminal and civil matters and to address the legal issues at the intersection of criminal and civil law, so as to prevent the use of criminal measures to interfere with the normal production and business operations of enterprises.

Jiangsu courts have released a series of typical cases under the “Small Amounts, Great Public Welfare” special initiative.
Recently, the Jiangsu High People’s Court released nine typical cases from its special enforcement campaign titled “Small Claims, Big Public Welfare.”
The cases released this time include: effective governance through enforcement—21 cases successfully executed in a single round; establishing a green channel and proactively coordinating to swiftly pay wages to multiple migrant workers; combining officeness with flexibility to facilitate settlement and safeguard the healthy development of minors; skillfully applying the “Six‑Foot Alley” mediation method to resolve neighbor‑rights disputes amicably; exhausting all available avenues to turn the tide, with the legal representative stepping in to repay debts; treating even low‑value cases with utmost seriousness, demonstrating a strong commitment to serving the people; leveraging a coordinated labor‑management dispute resolution mechanism to expedite the execution of collective wage arrears; two courts’ joint “Enforcement 110” operation successfully securing workers’ compensation payments; and proactive enforcement to liquidate vessels, thereby resolving the long‑standing wage‑payment issues of 17 crew members.

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