China Law News

Global officials and entrepreneurs meet in Hamburg for Belt and Road Initiative; Shanghai FTZ reports 5.8% import-export increase; and legislators prepare to regulate artificial intelligence.

Local government bonds are offered to individual investors; information disclosure of restructurings of listed companies is simplified; and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents will enroll in the same social insurance schemes as local mainland residents

Amended regulations for patent agents will take effect in March 2019; trading of ethanediol futures on the Dalian Exchange starts in December; and the Supreme Court is updating China's online court documents depository.

Blockchain information services will be subject to record filing, listed companies are encouraged to buy back their shares and insurance capital may be invested to alleviate liquidity risks of listed companies

Top CSRC official said Shanghai-London Stock Connect will launch by year's end; China and Singapore sign agreement to upgrade Free Trade Agreement; and the Supreme People's Court plans new guidelines to separate commercial disputes from economic crimes.

The Hong Kong International ArbitrationCenter (HKIAC) introduced a new version of itsAdministered Arbitration Rules (2018 Rules) whichcame into effect on November 1. The 2018 Rulesintroduce amendments relevant to the use oftechnology, third party funding, multi-party andmulti-contract arbitration, among others. AlfredIp of Hugill & Ip summarizes the newly enforcedamendments

Stamp tax may be exempted for housing transactions, Shanghai FTZ encourages foreign investment in the financial sector and the period for the drug MAH scheme is extended

China International Import Expo shows China's shift from an export nation to an import nation; Hangzhou's internet court tells a success story one year on; and China's market regulators aim to crack down on unfair competition practices.

It may be easier for foreign banks to set up branches in China, private fund management business is put under greater scrutiny and insurance companies are given more flexibility in equity investment.