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Economy & Trade

US-China Relations in the Trump 2.0 Era: A Timeline

03/17/2026

On December 31, 2025, Trump signed a proclamation delaying the increase in tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities for another year.

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan: Key Insights for Foreign Investors

03/13/2026

From developing frontier technologies to boosting domestic demand, the plan sends a clear signal to businesses and investors of where opportunities will lie over the next five years.

Hong Kong Investment in 2026: Strategy, Connectivity, and APAC Advantage

03/13/2026

Hong Kong is repositioning itself in 2026 as a strategic APAC investment hub, supported by revived capital markets, stable macroeconomic fundamentals, and deep financial liquidity.

Breaking Down the US-China Trade Tariffs: What's in Effect Now?

03/13/2026

The current landscape of US-China tariff rates is complex, with multiple overlapping trade measures in effect. This article explains which tariffs apply in 2025 and how they intersect.

Germany-China Relations Under Merz: What the First Official Visit to Beijing Means for Business

03/13/2026

Germany-China relations have stabilized at the political level following Chancellor Merz's February 2026 visit to Beijing, with both sides reaffirming their strategic partnership and committing to structured bilateral consultations. However, the structural economic tensions driving Germany's record EUR 90 billion trade deficit with China remain unresolved, and European businesses should not mistake diplomatic normalization for improved market conditions.

EU CBAM 2026: What It Means for China‑Based Manufacturing

03/12/2026

As the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism enters its definitive phase, China-based heavy industry faces a permanently altered cost landscape, one where carbon intensity is now a priced factor of competitiveness, not an externality.

Tax & Accounting

China Monthly Tax Brief: February 2026

03/11/2026

China monthly tax brief February 2026 highlights a pivotal month shaped by the rollout of the new VAT Law and a surge of aligning tax policies. New incentives, compliance signals, and special zone updates together redefine China’s evolving tax environment.

Hong Kong’s Evolving Double Tax Agreement (DTA) Network 2026

03/04/2026

Hong Kong’s double tax agreement network has reached a new milestone, with fresh treaties and active negotiations shaping the 2026 outlook. Understanding how Hong Kong’s DTAs work is essential for investors and multinationals planning cross-border operations.

China’s MIIT Introduces New Technology Contract Registration Requirements for 2026

02/25/2026

China has released updated rules governing the recognition and registration of technology contracts. The new requirements, effective March 1, 2026, are a crucial step for companies to access tech-related tax incentives.

Annual IIT Reconciliation in China 2026: Appointment Booking Opens February 25

02/24/2026

China’s annual IIT reconciliation for 2026 is split into two phases, with early filers advised to book appointments in the IIT app. This section outlines eligibility, key timelines, filing methods, and practical preparation steps.

Hong Kong IRD Warns Public About Fraudulent Stamp Duty Certificate Notices

02/13/2026

Hong Kong’s IRD has warned the public about fake notices impersonating Stamp Duty Certificate communications. These fraudulent documents often use fabricated tax terms, urgent deadlines, or foreign-currency payment instructions to pressure recipients.

China Clarifies VAT Threshold Under New VAT Law

02/11/2026

China’s updated VAT threshold introduces new monthly, quarterly, and per‑transaction rules under the 2026 VAT Law. These changes affect VAT liability, invoicing, and compliance obligations for FIEs.

Legal & Regulatory

China to Grant Market and Data Exclusivity for Innovative Drugs for the First Time

03/17/2026

New revisions to pharmaceutical regulations introduce market and data exclusivity protections for certain drugs in an effort to incentivize R&D of innovative and under-researched treatments.

Trademark Registration in Hong Kong: Strategic Considerations for International Businesses

03/16/2026

Hong Kong offers a sophisticated and reliable trademark system grounded in common law principles and international best practices. For multinational businesses, understanding registration rules and jurisdictional differences is essential to managing brand risk in Greater China.

China's Updated Catalogue of Encouraged Service Imports (2026): Opportunities for Global Service Providers

03/10/2026

China’s updated Catalogue of Encouraged Service Imports (2026) identifies priority sectors to import high-quality international services.

Case Study: Using Hong Kong as a Strategic Anchor in a Complex Chinese Mainland Trademark Landscape

03/09/2026

This case illustrates how Hong Kong can serve as a strategic anchor when Chinese Mainland filings encounter structural obstacles and prior conflicting rights. A parallel protection strategy enabled the Company to secure continuity and reduce long‑term trademark risk.

Trademark Registration in Hong Kong: A Primer

03/09/2026

We discuss trademark registration and protections in Hong Kong and how these differ from the legal standards and practice in the Chinese Mainland.

Hong Kong Expected to Introduce Virtual Asset Licensing Regime in 2026

03/03/2026

Hong Kong is preparing to introduce a comprehensive licensing regime for virtual asset service providers covering dealing, custody, advisory, and asset management activities. The framework will significantly raise compliance expectations for operators seeking to serve Hong Kong clients.

Industries

EU CBAM 2026: What It Means for China‑Based Manufacturing

03/12/2026

As the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism enters its definitive phase, China-based heavy industry faces a permanently altered cost landscape, one where carbon intensity is now a priced factor of competitiveness, not an externality.

China Issues New Production Licensing Rules for Infant Formula Liquid Milk

03/02/2026

China has released new detailed rules governing production licensing for infant formula liquid milk, tightening regulatory oversight in the special foods sector.

China's Quantum Technology: The 15th Five-Year Plan's Push from Lab to Market

02/26/2026

China’s 15th FYP identifies quantum technology as the leading future industry expected to drive new economic growth. With market size expanding and policy support widening, foreign investors face both growing opportunities despite tightening localization pressures.

China’s Green Consumption Market: Policy Momentum, Consumer Shifts, and Commercial Opportunities

02/17/2026

China’s green consumption market is rapidly becoming a structural growth pillar, driven by coordinated national policy (notably the 2026 Action Plan) that integrates incentives, standards, and financing to steer household and service-sector demand toward low-carbon, resource-efficient goods and lifestyles.

Qianhai Updates Support for Hong Kong and Macao Medical Institutions

01/30/2026

Qianhai has revised its support measures for Hong Kong and Macao medical institutions, introducing enhanced fiscal incentives, clearer eligibility criteria, and stricter compliance requirements to promote long-term, high-quality healthcare development. The updated framework reinforces Qianhai’s role as a key testing ground for cross-border healthcare cooperation and foreign participation within the Greater Bay Area.

China’s Industries to Watch in 2026

01/28/2026

China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan signals a structural transformation rather than a short‑term recovery, reshaping the industrial landscape from 2026 onward. Businesses must reassess China strategies through the lens of competitiveness, security, and policy alignment.

HR & Payroll

China’s Labor Market in 2026: Wage Realignment, Mobility Shifts, and the New Talent Map

03/16/2026

China’s labor market is entering a phase of adjustment marked by targeted wage pressure, cautious talent mobility, and a rebalancing of city-tier advantages. For employers in 2026, success depends less on scale and more on precision in role design, location planning, and talent investment.

Guangzhou and Foshan Simplify Foreign Hiring with New Mobility Rules

03/04/2026

Guangzhou and Foshan have jointly introduced measures to simplify work permit procedures and improve mobility for foreign professionals. The policy aims to reduce administrative burdens and support deeper integration under the Guangfo “same‑city” initiative.

Labor Trends and Risk Management in China 2026 - New Publication Out

03/03/2026

China’s labor landscape in 2026 reflects a move toward selective hiring, stronger documentation requirements, and increasingly deliberate workforce planning. This edition provides actionable insights for navigating compliance risks and building resilient employment structures.

China's Visa-Free Policies: Latest Updates

02/15/2026

This article looks at all of the China visa-free policies that are currently in place.

China Enforces Higher Salary Thresholds for A/B Work Permits

02/12/2026

China has tightened enforcement of salary-based requirements for foreign work permits, with major cities applying full 6× and 4× multipliers. These changes impact both new applications and renewals, increasing compliance obligations for employers and foreign staff.

An Update on Work Permit Renewal for Foreign Talent in Shenzhen

02/05/2026

Shenzhen has tightened enforcement of age thresholds for Category B and C work permit renewals, with applicants aged 60 and above now facing rejection from 2026 onward.

Technology

EU-China Relations After the 2024 European Elections: A Timeline

02/27/2026

Timeline tracking key developments affecting EU-China relations, including trade and business engagement, under the new European Parliament.

China’s MIIT Introduces New Technology Contract Registration Requirements for 2026

02/25/2026

China has released updated rules governing the recognition and registration of technology contracts. The new requirements, effective March 1, 2026, are a crucial step for companies to access tech-related tax incentives.

China’s New Vehicle Data Export Guidelines: How Automakers Should Prepare

02/10/2026

China has released the 2026 Guidelines for the Security of Cross Border Transfer of Vehicle Data, offering industry-specific clarity on data export compliance requirements.

China PIPL: Key Compliance Signals from CAC’s January 2026 Q&A

01/23/2026

China’s data protection regime is entering a more operational phase, with regulators placing greater emphasis on definitions, documentation, and accountability. The CAC’s January 2026 Q&A highlights how FIEs should translate legal requirements into practical compliance measures.

Compliance Audit for the Protection of the Personal Information of Minors Due January 31

01/13/2026

The CAC now requires companies processing the personal information of minors in China to submit audit materials by January 31, 2026. Businesses must act quickly to comply with filing obligations.

Navigating Trends in China’s Data Compliance Regime

01/09/2026

China’s data compliance regime is evolving rapidly, with trends pointing to tougher audits, coordinated enforcement, and refined cross-border rules. Foreign-invested enterprises must adopt proactive governance to stay competitive and compliant.

Our firm Dezan Shira & Associates provides legal, tax and operational advisory across Asia.
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