Asia Briefing News - Latest Business and Regulatory Updates

China Briefing

China’s New Instant VAT Refund Policy: Boost to Tourism and Retail, Amid Tariff Tensions

China's new real-time VAT refund system enables foreign tourists to receive instant tax rebates at the point of purchase, aiming to boost domestic consumption and streamline the retail-tourism experience. While promising increased spending and digital tax efficiency, successful implementation will depend on retailer compliance and infrastructure readiness.

Investing in the Future: Opportunities in China’s Humanoid Robotics and Embodied AI Industry

China's humanoid robot market is expected to become a multi-billion dollar industry within the next decade, presenting huge opportunities for investors in a variety of sectors.

US Trump Tariffs: Key Implications for China's Ultra-Fast Fashion

US Trump Tariffs, reinstated in April 2025, revoked the de minimis exemption for Chinese shipments, introducing new tariffs on small packages and bulk imports. This shift threatens China’s ultra-fast fashion sector, by raising operational costs and disrupting their business model based on low-value, high-frequency shipments.

China Further Expands the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy- A Complete Guide

China has expanded the 144-hour visa-free transit to a 10-day stay, adding 21 new ports and increasing the total number of visa-free entry/exit points to 60 across 24 provinces.

India Briefing

Mental Health at Work: A Strategic Priority for Businesses in India

Learn how Indian businesses are prioritizing workplace mental health through strategic policies, legal frameworks, and CSR initiatives to boost employee well-being and productivity.

Corporate Social Responsibility in India

India became one of the first countries to mandate corporate social responsibility (CSR) on April 1, 2014. Certain companies are required to allocate a portion of their profits to areas such as education, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and hunger mitigation programs. We discuss corporate spending trends and compliance requirements under India's CSR regime.

India's Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020: What is it and How Should Companies Prepare?

The OSH Code will subsume over 10 labor laws to consolidate into one comprehensive act.

A Guide to Minimum Wage in India in 2025

We answer some frequently asked questions foreign hiring managers may have regarding the minimum wage in India. In January 2025, Meghalaya became the latest region to revise the minimum wages of all categories of workers in the state.

Vietnam Briefing

Vietnam Revises PDP8: Key Targets of the National Power Development Plan

The article examines Vietnam's revised National Power Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (PDP8), highlighting key targets and strategies for increasing renewable energy capacity and ensuring sufficient electricity supply to support the nation's economic growth through 2030 and beyond.

Trademark in Vietnam: Tips for Avoiding Refusal and Protecting Your Brand

This article examines the legal basis for trademark refusals in Vietnam under the country's regulations and provides guidance on how applicants can respond effectively to minimize the risk of rejection.

Vietnam’s Legal Framework for Probationary Contracts: Implications for Businesses

The Vietnamese government regulates probationary contracts to protect workers' rights, with a clear legal framework in place for the initial employment phase. This article examines the types of probationary contracts in Vietnam and their corresponding social insurance obligations.

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