The variable interest equity (VIE) structure has long been used by foreign investors wishing to invest in China's prohibited or restricted industries, but an investigation into New Oriental Group has highlighted issues with the structure and led to calls to fully-open foreign investment
New Measures from SIPO could see invention patents granted in a year, but questions remain over how many applications examiners can push through that quickly
A new Announcement has lowered withholding tax in China, but foreign companies still need to comply with strict regulations from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
The NDRC has proposed raising the threshold at which foreign-invested projects need approval, while Shanghai has introduced a subsidy for multinationals that set up their headquarters in the city and awarded tax breaks for R&D work
The Social Insurance Law received a mixed reception from foreigners worried about increased tax burdens. Many provinces have yet to issue implementing regulations, but new international agreements to end double contributions could change that
Shanghai was the first city to release details of its pilot carbon trading market as part of a national policy to encourage a low carbon economy, but questions remain over how the NDRC will regulate the trading platforms
Chinese outbound investment has grown exponentially in the past two years, but as domestic companies become more ambitious, does Hong Kong still have a role to play?
New Provisions have created competition between brokers by allowing foreign institutional investors to use more than one securities dealer
New draft Regulations will allow companies listed in China to offer stock ownership plans that could increase staff retention, but without additional incentives employees may be reluctant to participate
While the Ministry of Commerce's recent mention of the variable interest equity structure is important, its implications have been exaggerated say counsel