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Economy & Trade

China's Special Economic Zones Explained: Which One is Right for Your Business? 

04/27/2026

China's seven special economic zones each offer distinct industrial profiles, incentive policies, and strategic advantages. Here's what foreign investors need to know to find the right fit.

Spain-China Relations Deepen Amid Sánchez's Visit to Beijing

04/27/2026

Spain is deepening engagement with China despite structural imbalances, with Sánchez’s April 2026 visit institutionalizing bilateral dialogue and expanding cooperation in investment, agrifood, and industrial sectors, even as a large trade deficit persists.

The Path to Peak Emissions: Climate and Environmental Policy in China's 15th Five-Year Plan 

04/23/2026

The 15th Five-Year Plan doubles down on renewables build-out and seeks to tighten environmental regulations, posing both regulatory challenges and substantial economic opportunities for foreign companies in the years to come.

China’s Free Trade Zone Expands to 23 with Inner Mongolia Addition

04/21/2026

China’s approval of the Inner Mongolia Pilot Free Trade Zone brings the country’s total FTZ count to 23, completing the national FTZ map and opening new channels in rare earths, AI computing, and cross‑border logistics. The key question for investors is how these policy ambitions translate into actionable opportunities.

China's New Supply Chain Security Regulations: What Are the Risks to Foreign Companies? 

04/20/2026

China's new rules on industrial supply chain security could place foreign companies in the crosshairs of competing national laws, with potential consequences for those operating in the country.

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

04/20/2026

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.

Tax & Accounting

As a Foreign Company, Do I Need to Make Annual CIT Filing in China?

04/28/2026

Annual CIT filing obligations for foreign companies in China can apply even without profits or a formal entity. This article explains who must file, the key deadlines for 2026, and how PE risks can impact tax obligations.

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

04/24/2026

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 Manufacturing Tracker 2026

04/17/2026

Our tracker provides continuous updates on key economic and growth indicators in China’s manufacturing industry. The data for March 2026 has now been updated.

Beyond Compliance: How to Approach Hong Kong’s 2026 Profits Tax Return

04/16/2026

The IRD issued 270,000 Profits Tax Returns April 1, 2026, marking a landmark shift to mandatory digital filing. This guide covers who must e-file, key deadlines, iXBRL requirements, and practical steps to ensure compliance.

Hong Kong Strengthens AEOI Framework with 2026 Amendment Bill

04/08/2026

Hong Kong has gazetted the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Automatic Exchange of Information) Bill 2026 to enhance its AEOI framework. The proposed changes further align the city with global tax transparency standards under the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard.

China Monthly Tax Brief: March 2026

04/03/2026

March 2026 saw intensive regulatory activity across China’s tax and customs regime, with new national and local policies reshaping incentive access and compliance expectations. FIEs should closely assess both emerging risks and streamlined opportunities arising from these reforms.

Legal & Regulatory

Ascentium Acquires Dezan Shira & Associates, Expanding its Footprint to 27 Markets and Strengthening Corporate Services Capabilities

04/21/2026

Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, has completed its acquisition of Dezan Shira & Associates (“Dezan Shira”), a multi-disciplinary professional services firm with more than three decades of experience advising foreign investors across Asia.

China's New Supply Chain Security Regulations: What Are the Risks to Foreign Companies? 

04/20/2026

China's new rules on industrial supply chain security could place foreign companies in the crosshairs of competing national laws, with potential consequences for those operating in the country.

Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprises in China: The Complete 2026 Setup Guide 

04/07/2026

A step-by-step overview of the procedures, documents, and requirements for establishing a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China in 2026.

China Customs Compliance Alert: GAC’s New Credit Management Rules Effective April 1

04/02/2026

China’s Customs has implemented new enterprise credit management rules effective April 1, 2026, replacing the 2021 regime. The reforms affect all importers and exporters, with material implications for compliance strategy, risk exposure, and access to customs facilitation benefits.

Entering Hong Kong: Operational Roadmap for Chinese Mainland Enterprises

03/27/2026

Hong Kong continues to play a critical role for Chinese Mainland enterprises pursuing internationalization and cross‑border growth. This article provides a structured overview of the operational steps, regulatory considerations, and strategic advantages of establishing a presence in Hong Kong.

GAC New Overseas Food Manufacturer Registration Rules Effective June 1: A Guide for Exporters

03/26/2026

China has released the detailed implementation rules for Decree No. 280, fundamentally reshaping the overseas food manufacturer registration system. Overseas food exporters face new compliance obligations affecting renewals, declaration filings, and registration pathways from June 1, 2026.

Industries

China Manufacturing Tracker 2026

04/17/2026

Our tracker provides continuous updates on key economic and growth indicators in China’s manufacturing industry. The data for March 2026 has now been updated.

China's Agentic AI Boom: What the OpenClaw Surge Reveals

04/14/2026

China’s rapid uptake of OpenClaw highlights the country’s transition from experimental generative AI toward agentic, task‑executing systems. The shift is reshaping China’s AI value chain, with implications for cloud services, enterprise automation, and foreign market entry strategies.

China’s Brain-Computer Interface Industry – Tapping into the Future of Human-Machine Integration

03/19/2026

China is investing heavily in brain-computer interface technology, opening up vast new frontiers in healthcare, rehabilitation, and entertainment.

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.

HR & Payroll

Facing New Salary Benchmarks for Foreigner's Work Permits in China? Here’s How Employers Can Respond

04/24/2026

China’s tightening enforcement of foreigner's work permit salary benchmarks is reshaping how employers hire and retain foreign talent. As salary thresholds increasingly determine eligibility, companies must rethink budgeting, permit strategies, and long‑term workforce planning.

Hiring in Hong Kong: Compliance Tips for Foreign Companies

04/21/2026

Hong Kong offers foreign companies access to a highly skilled, multilingual workforce and a business-friendly regulatory environment, making it a key gateway for regional expansion in Asia.

China Minimum Wage Standards 2026

04/15/2026

This article offers a guide to minimum wages in the Chinese Mainland and discuss how labor costs are affected by changes to the minimum wage levels. The data is current as of January 22, 2026.

Cost of Living in China 2026: A City-by-City Breakdown for Expats

04/10/2026

This city‑by‑city guide analyzes expat living costs in China in 2026 using a Shanghai Index benchmark. It explains how inflation trends, exchange rates, and regional development policies shape real purchasing power across different cities and lifestyles.

Labor Compliance in China 2026: Enforcement Trends and Documentation Risks

04/08/2026

China’s labor compliance landscape in 2026 is defined by tighter judicial interpretation rather than new laws. Employers must align HR, payroll, and documentation practices with evolving court standards to manage dispute risk effectively.

Hong Kong Employer’s Return 2026 Opens: Are You Ready?

04/01/2026

Hong Kong’s Employer’s Return filing season begins April 1 with the issuance of Form BIR56A by the IRD. Employers must prepare accurate staff remuneration disclosures and submit them on time to avoid penalties.

Technology

Do I Need a License to Operate Online in China? A Guide for Foreign Companies

04/22/2026

Before launching a website, mobile app, or digital platform in China, foreign companies face one fundamental question: do they need a license? In most cases, the answer is yes—and often more than one.

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

04/20/2026

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

Are You Exposed Under China’s 2026 Personal Information Protection Campaigns?

04/15/2026

China’s 2026 enforcement actions signal a decisive move toward practical, sector‑specific execution of the PIPL. Foreign businesses must now demonstrate day‑to‑day compliance across systems, vendors, and internal processes.

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.

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