🔍 Market Access and Compliance

Q: On August 19, China issued another prohibition order against the EU’s cross-border investigation measures targeting Chinese entities under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). What is MOFCOM’s comment on this? (MOFCOM Regular Press Co...

China has issued a second prohibition order against the EU's use of its Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) to investigate Chinese companies, this time in the JD.com case. The order, based on China's rules on counteracting unjustified extraterritorial application, bars any organization or individual from complying with or assisting the EU's cross-border information demands. MOFCOM criticized the EU for overreach and called for dialogue, while signaling that China will take further measures if necessary.

China ready to deepen investment cooperation with Russia: vice premier

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov co-chaired the 13th China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee meeting in Vladivostok, where both sides pledged to deepen bilateral investment ties. China called for expanding cooperation in manufacturing, infrastructure, green industries, and the digital economy, while Russia promised to address concerns of Chinese enterprises. The meeting reflects continued political support for China-Russia business cooperation but does not itself create new legal obligations or concrete policy changes.

SAFE Holds Seminar on Foreign Exchange Administration Work for the Second Half of 2026

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) held its semi-annual work seminar on August 1 to review foreign-exchange administration in H1 2026 and set priorities for H2 2026. SAFE reported a stable FX market with net capital inflows and outlined plans to accelerate trade and investment payment facilitation, roll out new cross-border financing rules for multinationals, and tighten enforcement against illegal FX activity. No concrete rules were issued in this meeting; the announcements signal specific regulatory documents and rollout deadlines to monitor in the coming months.

China adds Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam to 240-hour visa-free transit program

China's National Immigration Administration has added Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam to its 240-hour visa-free transit program, effective August 20, 2026, bringing the total eligible countries to 57. Citizens of these countries holding ordinary passports and onward tickets to a third country can now stay up to 10 days visa-free at any of 65 Chinese ports. Both countries were also added to Hainan Province's 30-day visa-free entry policy, expanding that program to 61 countries. The move is part of China's broader post-pandemic push to boost international tourism and business travel, while employment, study, and journalistic activities remain excluded from visa-free entry.

China's central bank adds 8 banks as digital yuan operators

The People's Bank of China has added eight banks to its list of authorized digital yuan operators, raising the total to 30. The move is designed to broaden the inclusiveness of digital yuan services and support regional SMEs and cross-border trade. The newly added banks will begin services once their technical and operational preparations are complete.

China's central bank to strengthen financial support for key areas

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) announced in its Q2 2026 monetary policy report that it will strengthen financial support for key areas such as expanding domestic demand, technological innovation, and small and micro enterprises. The central bank will continue its accommodative monetary policy and optimize structural tools to improve the financing structure. It also reported that loan growth in technology, green, inclusive finance, elderly care, and digital economy sectors outpaced overall loan growth, and pledged to guard against exchange rate overshooting and systemic financial risks.