Legal

Economic and technology development zones will allow approvals with minor filing lapses

Guidelines on articles of association are revised to accommodate special voting rights

Foreign accounting firms are required to make filings for auditing of bond offerings

Consent of guardians is required for collection of children's personal data, criteria for imposition of heavy environmental penalties are specified and pre-tax deduction of insurance companies is clarified.

China's latest draft measures should better regulate data protection and cybersecurity, but they could also result in the exclusion of some foreign firms.

More tax incentives are offered to IC and software enterprises

Joe Simone of SIPS examines recent amendments to China's Trademark Law which focus on bad faith trademark registrations, civil compensation for infringement and disposition of seized goods and equipment – changes intended in part to help resolve the pending trade dispute with the US.

China's internet regulator releases a draft of data protection law for public consultation; regulators take over Baoshang Bank due to serious credit risk exposure; and CSRC vice chair Yan Qingmin pushes for tougher penalties.

Property transactions allow the use of electronic signatures and documents