Shanghai Weekly Bulletin is an information service presented by the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government in collaboration with Wolters Kluwer to foreign-funded enterprises, foreign-related institutions as well as people from overseas living in Shanghai. Covering major national and Shanghai foreign-related news, event information, policy Q&A and interpretations in the past week, it keeps you up-to-date with the latest foreign-related policies and developments in Shanghai.
If you have any comments or suggestions for Shanghai Weekly Bulletin, please feel free to send an email to shanghai_weekly@shanghai.gov.cn. Thank you!
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Laws and Regulations
【National】
Regulations on Commercial Mediation Released
Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Rules of Online Trading Platforms Released
State Taxation Administration Updates and Releases 90 Tax Guidelines for Cross-border Investment
Eight Authorities Issue Implementation Opinions on “AI+Manufacturing” Initiative
Regulations on Commercial Mediation Released
Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Rules of Online Trading Platforms Released
State Taxation Administration Updates and Releases 90 Tax Guidelines for Cross-border Investment
Eight Authorities Issue Implementation Opinions on “AI+Manufacturing” Initiative
【Shanghai】
Shanghai Unveils 20 Measures to Encourage Domestic Reinvestment by Foreign-funded Enterprises
Shanghai Supports Foreign-funded R&D Centers to Enhance Capabilities
Shanghai Leverages Yangtze River Delta Resources to Build Advanced Manufacturing Cluster for Low-altitude Economy
Full Text of the Several Regulations of Shanghai Pudong New Area on the Development of Free Trade Offshore Bond Business Released
Shanghai Unveils 20 Measures to Encourage Domestic Reinvestment by Foreign-funded Enterprises
Shanghai Supports Foreign-funded R&D Centers to Enhance Capabilities
Shanghai Leverages Yangtze River Delta Resources to Build Advanced Manufacturing Cluster for Low-altitude Economy
Full Text of the Several Regulations of Shanghai Pudong New Area on the Development of Free Trade Offshore Bond Business Released
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Q&A
Q: At a press briefing held by the Information Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government to introduce the Shanghai Action Plan to Accelerate the Development of a World-class Business Environment (2026), an official of the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission answered reporters’ questions: This year’s Action Plan represents an iterative upgrade of previous versions and further clarifies the working framework for the “four major environments”. How will the Action Plan be effectively implemented, and what considerations underpin its rollout?
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Expert Perspective
Major Revision of Shanghai FTZ Regulations: The Upgrade Path of China’s High-standard Opening-up
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One Week in Shanghai
【Latest News】
Ten Foreign Language Versions of Shanghai’s Business Environment Optimization Action Plan Launched
Shanghai Port Ranks First Worldwide in Container Throughput for 16 Consecutive Years
National Fintech Certification Shanghai Center Established
Ten Foreign Language Versions of Shanghai’s Business Environment Optimization Action Plan Launched
Shanghai Port Ranks First Worldwide in Container Throughput for 16 Consecutive Years
National Fintech Certification Shanghai Center Established
【Corporate Activities】
Two Foreign-funded Financial Institutions Approved to Commence Operations in Shanghai
Two Foreign-funded Financial Institutions Approved to Commence Operations in Shanghai
【Forum & Exhibition】
Invitation Released for the First Overseas Investment Conference
Invitation Released for the First Overseas Investment Conference
【Culture & Art】
Shanghai Opera House Launches 70th Anniversary Carnival
Shanghai Opera House Launches 70th Anniversary Carnival
Laws and Regulations
National
1. Regulations on Commercial Mediation Released
[Keywords: Commercial mediation]
The Regulations on Commercial Mediation were recently released. The document applies to activities in which parties, under the auspices of commercial mediation organizations, voluntarily and amicably negotiate and resolve commercial disputes in the fields such as trade, investment, finance, transportation, real estate, engineering construction, and intellectual property rights. The document will take effect on May 1, 2026.
Source: International Services Shanghai
2. Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Rules of Online Trading Platforms Released
[Keywords: Online trading platforms, Rules]
Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Cyberspace Administration of China jointly released the Measures on the Supervision and Administration of Rules of Online Trading Platforms. The document clarifies the responsibilities and obligations that platforms should fulfill during the formulation, modification, and implementation of platform rules. It specifies detailed requirements for platforms to ensure information, network, and data security, and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of both operators and consumers on the platforms. Furthermore, it strengthens law enforcement coordination and improves supervisory mechanisms. The document will take effect on February 1, 2026.
Source: SAMR
https://www.samr.gov.cn/zw/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/fgs/art/2026/art_85b474fc5a08494bb60ca6a280b98d7d.html
3.State Taxation Administration Updates and Releases 90 Tax Guidelines for Cross-border Investment
[Keywords: Cross-border investment, Tax]
On January 5, the State Taxation Administration (STA) updated and released 90 Country (Region) Investment Tax Guidelines. The documents cover updates on the tax regimes of 85 countries and regions that have undergone significant changes in recent years, including the United States, Canada, and France. Additionally, new tax guidelines for five countries, namely, Portugal, Chile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, and Colombia, have been added.
4.Eight Authorities Issue Implementation Opinions on “AI+Manufacturing” Initiative
[Keywords: AI, Manufacturing]
On December 25, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and seven other authorities jointly issued the Implementation Opinions on the “AI+Manufacturing” Initiative. Centered on seven key tasks including strengthening the foundation for innovation, empowering intelligent upgrading, achieving product breakthroughs, fostering market entities, expanding industrial ecosystem, ensuring security, and advancing international cooperation, the document details 21 specific measures to promote mutual empowerment of AI technologies and manufacturing applications.
Shanghai
1. Shanghai Unveils 20 Measures to Encourage Domestic Reinvestment by Foreign-funded Enterprises
[Keywords: Foreign-funded enterprises, Reinvestment]
Recently, the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission and 10 other authorities jointly issued the Several Measures of Shanghai on Encouraging Domestic Reinvestment by Foreign-funded Enterprises. The document comprises 20 measures primarily focused on encouraging domestic reinvestment by enterprises and improving investment promotion and facilitation services.
Source: International Services Shanghai
2.Shanghai Supports Foreign-funded R&D Centers to Enhance Capabilities
[Keyword: Foreign-funded R&D Centers]
Recently, the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government issued the Policy Measures of Shanghai on Further Supporting the Upgrading of Foreign-funded R&D Centers. The document puts forward 26 specific initiatives across ten areas, including supporting increased investment in R&D, encouraging open innovation, and supporting integrated R&D and manufacturing. The document took effect on January 1, 2026, and will remain valid until December 31, 2030.
Source: Shanghai Municipal People’s Government
3.Shanghai Leverages Yangtze River Delta Resources to Build Advanced Manufacturing Cluster for Low-altitude Economy
[Keyword: Low-altitude economy]
Recently, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, together with the Hongqiao International Central Business District Administration and the governments of Pudong New Area and three other districts, jointly issued the Several Measures of Shanghai on Leveraging the Yangtze River Delta to Accelerate the Development of an Advanced Manufacturing Cluster for the Low-altitude Economy. The document proposes 16 specific measures across four key areas, namely, develop R&D and manufacturing of low-altitude equipment, build a premier industrial ecosystem for the low-altitude economy, promote collaboration in the Yangtze River Delta, and orderly promote the application of low-altitude economy scenarios. The document took effect from the date of issuance and will remain valid until December 31, 2028.
4.Full Text of the Several Regulations of Shanghai Pudong New Area on the Development of Free Trade Offshore Bond Business Released
[Keywords: Free trade offshore bonds]
Recently, the full text of the Several Regulations of Shanghai Pudong New Area on the Development of Free Trade Offshore Bond Business was released. The document clarifies five categories of entities eligible to issue free trade offshore bonds and five categories of entities eligible to invest in these bonds. It will take effect on March 1, 2026.
Q&A
At a press briefing held by the Information Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government to introduce the Shanghai Action Plan to Accelerate the Development of a World-class Business Environment (2026), an official of the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission answered reporters’ questions
Q
This year’s Action Plan represents an iterative upgrade of previous versions and further clarifies the working framework for the “four major environments”. How will the Action Plan be effectively implemented, and what considerations underpin its rollout?
A
On the first day of 2026, the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and the Municipal Government convened a citywide conference on optimizing the business environment, with the aim to ensure early plan, implementation, and results. Optimizing the business environment has been given top priority in promoting high-quality development, better boosting market confidence, guiding public expectations, and providing strong support for a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan. The Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission will thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the citywide conference, comprehensively strengthen overall coordination and integrated development, and ensure the effective implementation of the 26 specific tasks and measures. We will strive to shape new competitive advantages for Shanghai’s business environment.
First, we will enhance the efficiency of the special task force for improving the business environment. This year, we will further strengthen coordination across all levels of government and collaboration among different sectors. On the one hand, we will continue to reinforce the leading role of the municipal task force, and ensure that it can “effectively take on complex issues, assign tasks in a timely manner, and obtain feedback on outcomes”, thereby continuously improving the effectiveness and authority of our work. On the other hand, we will establish and improve the working mechanisms of business environment task forces in each district and administrative committee, strengthen business environment service capacity of each subdistrict, town, industrial park, and commercial building, and put in place a vertically integrated and horizontally connected business services system that provides full coverage and all-day support. We will work together as a unified force, put in all efforts towards the same goals, and collaborate on the same challenges to promote overall improvement of the business environment.
