证监会新规严管上市公司：设审计委员会防造假，分红退市有新规

Core Viewpoint - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has released a draft of the "Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Listed Companies," 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 strictly combating illegal activities [2] - A new regulation 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: Combating Financial Fraud - The draft establishes a comprehensive mechanism for preventing and addressing financial fraud, integrating source prevention, process monitoring, and post-event accountability [3] - The audit committee is tasked with approving financial reports before submission to the board, and a mechanism for recovering profits derived from fraudulent financial reports is introduced [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, aiming to enhance the investment value of listed companies and protect investors during voluntary delisting [5] - Companies are required to prioritize cash dividends over stock dividends in their articles of association and establish stable cash dividend policies based on financial health [6] - The regulations also stipulate that companies must clarify the conditions and procedures for share buybacks and provide cash options for dissenting shareholders during voluntary delisting [6] Group 4: Mergers and Acquisitions - The draft regulates acquisition behaviors by refining definitions, qualifications, 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 subsidiary companies [7] - Financial advisors' roles and responsibilities are also defined to ensure their independence and effectiveness in overseeing mergers and acquisitions [7]