证监会出新规严管上市公司：设审计委员会防造假，分红退市有新规，投资者保护加码

Core Viewpoint - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has released a draft of the "Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Listed Companies" for public consultation, marking the introduction of a dedicated regulatory framework for listed companies in China's capital market aimed at enhancing legal governance and improving the quality of listed companies [1] Group 1: Company Governance - The draft consists of eight chapters and seventy-four articles, focusing on five core areas: improving corporate governance requirements, strengthening information disclosure regulation, standardizing mergers and acquisitions, enhancing investor protection, and cracking down on illegal activities [2] - The draft mandates that listed companies must establish an audit committee within their board of directors, with a majority of independent directors and the chair being a qualified accounting professional [2] - Independent directors must constitute at least one-third of the board and oversee potential conflicts of interest between the company and its major stakeholders, thereby protecting minority shareholders' rights [2] Group 2: Anti-Fraud Measures - The draft establishes a comprehensive mechanism for preventing and addressing financial fraud, emphasizing a combination of prevention, monitoring, and accountability [3][4] - It requires that financial reports be approved by a majority of the audit committee before being submitted to the board, and introduces a mechanism for recovering profits gained from fraudulent financial reports [3] - Penalties for companies and third parties involved in the preparation of false financial statements include fines ranging from 1 million to 10 million yuan, with severe penalties for securities service institutions failing to fulfill their duties [3][4] Group 3: Investor Protection - The draft outlines clear requirements for market value management, cash dividends, and share buybacks to enhance investor returns and protect their interests during voluntary delisting [5][6] - Companies are required to prioritize cash dividends over stock dividends in their articles of association and establish stable dividend policies based on financial performance [6] - The draft also mandates that companies provide cash options for dissenting shareholders during voluntary delisting, ensuring their rights are safeguarded [6] Group 4: Mergers and Acquisitions - The draft regulates acquisition behaviors by clarifying definitions, qualifications of acquirers, and disclosure standards to reduce market disputes and stabilize expectations [7] - It specifies the requirements and procedures for significant asset restructuring and the independent listing of subsidiaries, as well as the responsibilities and independence of financial advisors in M&A activities [7]