We cover the latest economy and trade, legal and tax updates, industry insights, and HR and payroll news that are most relevant to doing business in China. Here are our top China news summaries.
Shanghai Lingang New Area Releases Whitelists for Data Export, Facilitating Cross-Border Data Flows
Shanghai’s Lingang New Area has released general data lists that will facilitate data export for companies in the automotive, biopharma, and mutual fund sectors.
Tianjin Free Trade Zone Releases China’s First Negative List for Cross-Border Data Transfer
The Tianjin Free Trade Zone has released China’s first data Negative List outlining the types of data that must undergo a security review by China’s cybersecurity bureau to be transferred out of China.
China’s New Measures to Support Foreign Investment in Sci-tech Firms
China seeks to attract sci-tech foreign investment by relaxing rules, fostering partnerships, and enhancing the investment climate.
Shenzhen’s Qianhai Cooperation Zone Expands Preferential IIT and CIT Policies
The Shenzhen Municipal Tax Bureau, Shenzhen Municipal Finance Bureau, and State Tax Administration have issued two notices broadening tax incentives for individuals and companies in the Qianhai Cooperation Zone.
Facing New Salary Benchmarks for Foreigner’s Work Permits in China? Here’s How Employers Can Respond
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.
Hong Kong’s Evolving Double Tax Agreement (DTA) Network 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.
The Path to Peak Emissions: Climate and Environmental Policy in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan
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.
Do I Need a License to Operate Online in China? A Guide for Foreign Companies
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.
Hiring in Hong Kong: Compliance Tips for Foreign Companies
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’s Free Trade Zone Expands to 23 with Inner Mongolia Addition
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.
Ascentium Acquires Dezan Shira & Associates, Expanding its Footprint to 27 Markets and Strengthening Corporate Services Capabilities
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?
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.

















