NDRC Rolls out 20 Measures to Boost Consumption
Shanghai Weekly Bulletin
lssue 2,August 2023
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.
Laws and Regulations
【National】
1. NDRC Rolls out 20 Measures to Boost Consumption
【Keyword：Consumption】
The General Office of the State Council released on July 28, 2023 a circular to forward the Measures of the National Development and Reform Commission for the Recovery and Expansion of Consumption. The NDRC introduces 20 measures in the document, including stabilizing consumption of major items, expanding service consumption, promoting consumption in rural areas, promoting new types of consumption, improving consumption facilities, and optimizing consumption environment.
Source: Website of the Chinese Government
2.China Deploys 28 Tasks to Boost Growth of Private Economy
【Keyword：Private Economy】
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and other six authorities jointly released on July 28, 2023 the Circular on Implementing Several Recently Unveiled Measures to Boost the Growth of Private Economy. The Circular deploys 28 tasks in five aspects, including promoting fair market access, strengthening factor support, enhancing law-based guarantee, optimizing corporate-related services, and creating a sound environment.
Source: NDRC
3. China Extends Preferential Tax Policies to Support Financing for Micro and Small Enterprises
【Keyword：Micro and Small Enterprises; Financing】
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the State Taxation Administration (STA) jointly released on August 2, 2023 the Announcement of Tax Policies to Support Financing for Micro and Small Enterprises (No.13 (2023) Document), which extends the relevant policies to December 31, 2027. As a follow-up policy of the MOF and STA No.77 (2017) document, the Announcement continues the related preferential policies, including exempting the value-added tax (VAT) on interest income earned by financial institutions from granting small loans to micro and small enterprises and self-employed households, and exempting the stamp duty on the loan contracts signed between financial institutions and micro and small enterprises.
Source: MOF
4. SPC Publishes Typical Cases of Protecting Property Rights of Private Enterprises and Rights and Interests of Entrepreneurs
【Keyword：Private Enterprises; Typical Cases】
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) released on July 31, 2023 typical cases of people's courts legally protecting property rights of private enterprises and the rights and interests of entrepreneurs. There are a total of 11 cases, which involve promoting compliance reform of enterprises in question, protecting the right of reputation for private enterprises and entrepreneurs, rendering equal protection according to law, helping private enterprises in difficulty, securing civilized law enforcement in good faith, and others.
Source: SPC
【Shanghai】
1. Shanghai Issues Measures to Support Development of Innovative Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals
【Keyword：Diversified Payment; Innovative Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals】
Shanghai Municipal Healthcare Security Bureau, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, along with other five departments, jointly released on July 28, 2023 a circular to unveil the Measures of Shanghai Municipality on Further Improving the Diversified Payment Mechanism to Support the Development of Innovative Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals, which proposes 28 measures in nine aspects to promote the supply-side reform of medical services, encourage innovation of biomedical companies, and advance Shanghai's efforts to become a globally influential innovation hub for the biomedical industry.
Source: Shanghai Municipal People’s Government
2. Shanghai Releases Guidelines for the Building of Community Employment Service Stations
【Keyword：Employment Service】
Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau have jointly released the Guidelines for the Construction of '15-Minute Employment Service Circle' Community Employment Service Stations in Shanghai. The Guidelines aim to ensure that by the end of 2023, every street and town in Shanghai will have at least one community employment service station.
Source: Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau
3. Shanghai Issues Opinions to Accelerate Construction of High-level Intellectual Property Talent Hub
【Keyword：Intellectual Property Rights; Talent】
Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration released on July 27, 2023 the Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a High-level Intellectual Property Talent Hub in Shanghai (2023-2025). The document outlines five key tasks, including attracting a group of high-level intellectual property talents and enhancing the internationalization of intellectual property talent work.
Source: Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration
4. Shanghai Consults Public on the Measures for Promoting and Managing Public Service Advertising
【Keyword：Public Service Advertising】
Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation released on August 2, 2023 a circular to solicit public opinions on the revised Measures of Shanghai Municipality for Promoting and Managing Public Service Advertising (Exposure Draft). The deadline for feedback is August 31, 2023. The draft encourages the use of new digital technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and virtual simulation to create high-quality public service advertising that are easy for digital dissemination and enhance their creativity and tech innovation capabilities.
Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation
5.Shanghai Consults Public on Credit Scoring Management Measures for Pit Trading of Public Resources
【Keyword：Public Resources; Pit Trading】
Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission released on August 3, 2023 an announcement to solicit public opinions on the Measures of Shanghai Municipality on Credit Scoring Management for Pit Trading of Public Resources (for Trial Implementation) (Exposure Draft). The draft has 21 articles in five chapters, and is open for public comment until September 2, 2023.
Source: Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission
6. Shanghai Unveils 20 Key Tasks to Push for High-quality and Innovation-driven Development of neoBay
【Keyword：neoBay】
The Implementation Opinions of the Minhang District Committee of the Communist Party of China on Deepening the Study and Implementation of the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the Twelfth Municipal Party Committee to Promote High-quality Innovation-driven Development of the neoBay Area was recently issued. It proposes that by 2025, a number of original achievements in basic research and applied fundamental research will be generated, breakthroughs will be made in core technologies for future industries, technology transfer and transformation will be achieved, a batch of high-growth tech companies will be incubated, high-capacity industrial clusters will be developed, and a group of interdisciplinary and integrated innovation and entrepreneurship talents will be fostered.
Source: Minhang Today
One Week in Shanghai
【Official Activities】
1. Shanghai Secures Approval to Build Airport-based National Logistics Hub
【Keyword：Logistics Hub; Air Cargo Transport】
The National Development and Reform Commission recently released a list of national logistics hub projects for the year 2023, and the Shanghai Airport-based National Logistics Hub was approved. The Shanghai Airport-based National Logistics Hub will be developed in two sections: Pudong and Hongqiao. The Pudong section will serve as a comprehensive international air cargo hub, while the Hongqiao section will function as a domestic express air cargo hub.
Source: Pudong Release
2. PoE Units in Shanghai Carry Out 2023 Policy Briefing on Cross-border Trade Business Environment Reform
【Keyword：Cross-border Trade】
To help cross-border trade enterprises better understand and apply Shanghai’s measures for the reform of cross-border trade business environment in 2023, as well as the policies related to stabilizing and improving foreign trade and supporting struggling businesses, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce joined hands with Shanghai Customs, Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, Shanghai International Port Group, and Yitong Company to hold a policy briefing on the measures for the reform of cross-border trade business environment on August 3, 2023. About 500 companies participated in the event through online livestreaming and in-person attendance.
Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce
3. “Invest Shanghai, Share the Future” Overseas Roadshow Successfully Held in Melbourne, Australia
【Keyword：Invest Shanghai, Australia】
The "Invest Shanghai, Share the Future" Overseas Roadshow was held in Melbourne, Australia on the afternoon of July 28, 2023. During the roadshow, 10 cooperation projects were signed between Shanghai and Australian enterprises and institutions, covering areas such as food, agricultural product procurement, biomedicine, high-end home care collaboration, and investment in rehabilitation hospitals. Besides, the event marked the first overseas release of the 2023 White Paper on Shanghai Investment.
Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce
【Corporate Activities】
1. ProMinent Shanghai Headquarters and Research Base Project Commences Construction in Lin-gang
【Keyword：ProMinent; Base Project】
A commencement ceremony for ProMinent’s Shanghai headquarters and research base project was successfully held in the Lin-gang Special Area on July 28, 2023. With a total investment of RMB389 million, it’s the German company’s largest investment in history, and the project will cover a total building area of 36,000 square meters.
Source: Shanghai Lin-gang
【Social Activities】
1. Shanghai Tourism Festival 2023 to Be Held
【Keyword：Tourism Festival】
Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism announced that the 34th Shanghai Tourism Festival will be held from September 16 to October 6, 2023. This year's tourism festival will feature ten segments under the theme "Enjoy Shanghai", including "Classic Reproduction", "Preferential Packages", "Artistic Beauty", and "Fantastic Themed Tours". Additionally, there will be the "Joyful Shopping on September 17" tourism consumption season, offering discounted tickets to various tourist attractions.
Source: Shanghai Release
【Training】
1. Compliance Training for Foreign Enterprises' E-commerce Business in China
【Keyword：E-commerce Business】
Course Background: With frequent interventions from relevant authorities and a continuous stream of civil disputes, how to operate business in compliance and properly handle relations with consumers has become a key issue for e-commerce operators.
Time: 09:30-12:00, 13:30-16:30, August 11, 2023
Source: Shanghai Foreign Investment Association
Official Q&A
Q: Huangpu, located in the core area of the city center, is a gathering place for businesses and home to numerous enterprises. It is an important window to showcase Shanghai. Going forward, how will the business environment be optimized to enhance its attractiveness and competitiveness?"
A: In the next stage, we will work on three priorities to create a sound business environment up to international standards.
The first is to push for more integrated reform. Centered around the directions of marketization, rule of law, and internationalization, key areas and crucial aspects of reform are systematically promoted. In terms of marketization, continuous efforts are made to deepen administrative streamlining. Starting from 2021, in conjunction with the construction of a credit system, a streamlined approval process is introduced, allowing trustworthy entities to enjoy services such as "informed commitment" and "conditional acceptance". In terms of the rule of law, Huangpu is making active efforts to create a fair and just legal environment, providing market entities with a sense of security. Concerning internationalization, particular emphasis is placed on leveraging the unique advantages of Huaihai New World's import trade to promote innovative demonstration zones and create a world-class trade gateway with international influence.
The second is to foster a more vibrant development. We will build a high-energy industrial ecosystem to promote aggregation, integration, and innovation. Aggregation means gathering high-end resources and empowering each other through free flow of such resources. Huangpu's high-end service industry accounts for over 75% of its economic output. We will leverage the roles of finance and professional services to provide strong support for the development of various enterprises. Integration means using the government as a platform to promote companies to couple and cooperate for coexistence and reciprocity. For example, we host events like Bund Summit and Health China Sinan Summit, to facilitate smooth connections along the industrial chain and seamless integration between upstream & downstream enterprises and investors. Innovation means creating a more open and inclusive environment, accelerating the cultivation of innovative hotspots. Initiatives like the "Gateway Light • Huangpu Talent" program are launched to coordinate resources throughout the district and strengthen service support. Besides, Huangpu plans to build 10,000 units of talent apartments by the end of 2025.
The third is to offer more considerate services. By visiting local companies, we can learn about their service needs and their talents’ expectations, and then we can roll out targeted measures to satisfy their needs. Better and more integrated government services can improve corporate experience and reduce their workload on dealing with the government. In the next stage, we plan to enhance one-stop government services, improve work efficiency and allow more administrative services to be available at different districts. Corporate satisfaction is the ultimate yardstick of our work on improving business environment. We would seek objective evaluations through various channels, discover and resolve issues to enhance the satisfaction of market entities.
Source: Shanghai Release
Expert Perspective
1.Whether it is compulsory to obtain the written consent of employee for outbound transfer of personal information?
By Lucy Luo (Global Law Office)
A: The Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC stipulates where it is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract to which the individual concerned is a party, or for the implementation of human resources management in accordance with the labor rules and regulations formulated in accordance with the law and the collective contract concluded in accordance with the law, the consent of employee is not necessary. However, the above exemption shall be limited by the minimum collection principle set by the law. If the personal information is not necessary for said contracts or not necessary to be transferred overseas, it cannot be exempted from obtaining employees’ written consent.