Core Viewpoint - The recent notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) aims to enhance the convenience of cross-border investment and financing, particularly for foreign individuals purchasing real estate in China, while maintaining existing regulatory frameworks [1][2][5]. Group 1: Policy Changes - The notice reduces the negative list for capital project foreign exchange income and its conversion into RMB for domestic payments, specifically removing restrictions on purchasing non-self-occupied residential properties [2][5][6]. - The policy allows foreign individuals to make foreign exchange payments for real estate purchases before obtaining the necessary purchase registration documents from real estate authorities, streamlining the payment process [4][6]. Group 2: Implementation and Impact - The pilot program for Hong Kong and Macau residents in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, which allows for "payment first, documentation later," will be expanded nationwide [3][4]. - As of January 2025, the People's Bank of China in Guangdong has facilitated 2,603 transactions for Hong Kong and Macau residents, amounting to approximately RMB 2.993 billion, indicating strong demand for cross-border real estate purchases [3]. Group 3: Future Directions - SAFE plans to continue promoting reforms in the foreign exchange sector to support legitimate cross-border investment activities and better serve the high-quality development of the real economy [6].

Core Viewpoint - The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has issued a notification to deepen the reform of cross-border investment and financing foreign exchange management, introducing nine measures aimed at enhancing the convenience of cross-border investment and financing, attracting foreign investment, and promoting high-quality development of the real economy [1][2]. Group 1: Cross-Border Investment - The notification cancels the basic information registration for preliminary expenses of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), allowing foreign investors to directly open accounts and remit funds without prior registration [1]. - The policy of exempting registration for domestic reinvestment by FDI enterprises, previously piloted in certain provinces, is now expanded nationwide, facilitating reinvestment without the need for registration [2]. Group 2: Cross-Border Financing - The notification increases the cross-border financing convenience limit for high-tech, specialized, and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises to the equivalent of $10 million, with some selected enterprises receiving an increased limit of $20 million [2]. - Simplification of cross-border financing registration management is introduced, eliminating the requirement for audited financial reports during the signing and registration process for participating enterprises [2]. Group 3: Payment Convenience - The negative list for the use of foreign exchange income and its converted RMB for domestic payments is reduced, removing restrictions on purchasing non-self-use residential properties [2]. - The notification promotes a "pay first, supplement later" approach for foreign individuals purchasing property in China, allowing them to exchange foreign currency for property payments before obtaining the necessary purchase registration documents [3].

Investment Side - The notice cancels the registration requirement for foreign-invested enterprises' domestic reinvestment and expands the pilot program for this exemption nationwide [2] - Since 2022, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange has conducted pilot programs in 12 regions, including Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, for direct bank handling of foreign debt registration [2] - The pilot program for foreign-invested enterprises' domestic reinvestment exemption and direct foreign debt registration will be expanded to Tianjin, Anhui, Shandong (including Qingdao), Hubei, and Sichuan [2] Financing Side - The notice allows foreign exchange profits from direct foreign investment to be reinvested domestically and promotes the "Kehuitong" policy for non-enterprise research institutions to receive foreign funds nationwide [4] - The cross-border financing facilitation limit for high-tech, "specialized and innovative," and technology-based SMEs is raised to a maximum of USD 10 million, while the limit for selected enterprises under the "innovation points system" is increased to USD 20 million [4] - The notice simplifies the registration management for cross-border financing, allowing participating enterprises to skip providing the last audited financial report during the signing and registration phase [4] Payment Facilitation - The notice reduces the negative list for capital project income usage and removes restrictions on using foreign exchange income for purchasing non-self-use residential properties [5] - This policy is part of macro-control measures to stabilize the real estate market amid overheating concerns [5] - The notice optimizes the capital project foreign exchange income payment facilitation, allowing banks to determine the frequency and proportion of post-event random checks based on client compliance and risk levels [5] - The notice promotes the facilitation of foreign individuals' property purchase payment in mainland China, allowing them to exchange foreign currency for property purchases before obtaining the necessary registration documents [5]