Retail Trade and Distribution

The U.S. trade office announces a delay for some China tariffs until December; China's banking system sees non-performing loans increase and capital adequacy ratio decrease in Q2; Shanghai targets regional headquarters with new measures to attract multinational companies; and Shenzhen to see wide-ranging reforms in bid to become a national model for high-quality development and innovation

The U.S. president announces new tariffs covering virtually all Chinese imports a day after trade talks; Huawei reports year-on-year revenue growth but U.S. sanctions taking its toll; and financial holding companies to face capital requirements and a ban on non-financial activities according to draft rules.

Once again, high-level trade officials from the U.S. and China are back together; China plans to regulate e-cigarettes and vaping over fears of an addiction epidemic; and 11 measures have been introduced to open up financial market access and to scrap foreign shareholding restrictions.

The new catalogue supports foreign investment in high-end manufacturing

The National Negative List relaxes foreign investment in mining, telecommunications, utilities, cinemas and water transport

The FTZ Negative List further opens the printing sector

VAT rates are lowered for import and export

Improved product safety is central to China’s pivot to a consumption-led economy. New regulations, stiffer penalties, encouraging consumer complaints and even public shaming are all part of its strategy.

Eleven pilot cities will carry out centralized procurement of Pharmaceuticals

Limits on maximum amounts of e-commerce retail import purchases are raised