Shanghai procuratorial authorities recently unveiled an action plan — defining 59 specific tasks across 17 key areas for safeguarding the law-based business environment.

The new initiative aims to enhance the legal protection for businesses, ensure market fairness, create a more transparent business environment and upgrade pro-business procuratorial performances. Let's decode some of its key points.

Protecting lawful corporate development

The action plan emphasizes robust legal protection for businesses at every stage. Key measures include cracking down on job-related and economic crimes in critical market access areas, targeting illegal "shell companies" and combating unfair competition through public interest litigation.

Procuratorial authorities will address issues such as occupational fraud and wage arrears and they’ll conduct public interest litigation for safeguarding labor rights for emerging forms of employment.

Promoting fair market competition

A focal point of the action plan is to ensure a fair and level playing field in Shanghai's market. This includes stringent action against illegal practices like commercial bribery and bid-rigging that undermine market competition.

Procuratorial authorities will tackle financial crimes such as money laundering and illegal fundraising, ensuring better identification of financial risks and fostering improved coordination between financial administrative bodies and the judiciary.

Efforts will also be made to protect privacy and data security, especially in sectors like cross-border e-commerce and payments.

Fostering clean business atmosphere

Procuratorial authorities will strengthen their oversight of mandatory actions in enterprise-related cases, such as investigations, freezing of assets and seizures.

They will also participate in initiatives to standardize law enforcement related to businesses, ensuring that enterprises' legitimate rights are protected.

Another primary measure includes the development of the "deputy director of the rule of law" system in tech innovation parks, offering "one-stop" judicial services for the parks.

Procuratorial authorities plan to release white papers and legal guidelines to address legal risks faced by enterprises, while enhancing online platforms for procuratorial services.

Elevating pro-business procuratorial services

The action plan seeks to strengthen Shanghai's international business standing by improving the handling of foreign-related cases. In-depth research will be conducted on foreign-related procuratorial theories and the World Bank Group's Business Ready report.

Major measures also include building a comprehensive supervision system for enterprise-related cases through digital technology, optimizing "one-stop services" for businesses and further improving services in strategic areas like the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

In addition, Shanghai will take the lead in implementing a procuratorial coordination initiative in the Yangtze River Delta region to further boost the regional law-based business environment.

Source: Official WeChat account of the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission at "sh_drc"

Note: The English version of the action plan is for reference only; the official Chinese document shall prevail.