Core Viewpoint - The newly revised Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China will take effect on March 1, 2026, marking a significant overhaul aimed at enhancing the legal framework for foreign trade and expanding high-level openness in the sector [2][3]. Group 1: Legislative Changes - The new law consists of 11 chapters and 83 articles, establishing a negative list management system for cross-border service trade, reflecting China's commitment to opening up international service trade [3][4]. - The law incorporates previous reform measures into a legal framework, enhancing the stability and authority of policies related to cross-border service trade [5]. Group 2: Support for Small and Medium Enterprises - The law explicitly states that the government will support and facilitate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in engaging in foreign trade, providing conveniences in regulation, financing, and foreign exchange settlement [9]. - It also establishes a trade adjustment assistance system to support enterprises affected by trade remedy measures, enhancing their resilience [9][10]. Group 3: Promotion of Green Trade - The new law emphasizes the establishment of a green trade system, encouraging the export of green low-carbon products and promoting international cooperation in green trade [6][7]. - It aims to address trade barriers related to green products, providing strategic directions for international collaboration and standardization [6][7]. Group 4: Digital Trade and New Business Models - The law recognizes the importance of new business models such as cross-border e-commerce and supports the use of electronic documents and international mutual recognition of digital certificates and signatures [8]. - This legal backing is expected to facilitate the development and transformation of digital trade, ensuring compliance with international standards [8].

Core Viewpoint - The newly revised Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, effective from March 1, 2026, represents a significant overhaul aimed at enhancing the legal framework for foreign trade, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, while also adapting to current international trade dynamics [1][2]. Group 1: Legislative Changes - The new law consists of 11 chapters and 83 articles, establishing a negative list management system for cross-border service trade, reflecting China's commitment to opening up its international service trade [2][4]. - The law elevates previously successful reform measures to a legal status, including the removal of the requirement for foreign trade operators to register, which simplifies procedures and enhances convenience [2][3]. Group 2: Support for Trade Development - The law emphasizes the promotion of cross-border financial services and digital trade, including the international recognition of digital certificates and electronic signatures, to enhance the efficiency of foreign trade [6][8]. - It introduces provisions for establishing a green trade system, encouraging the import and export of green low-carbon products, and promoting international cooperation in green trade [6][7]. Group 3: Support for SMEs - The law explicitly states that the government will support and facilitate small and micro enterprises in conducting foreign trade, providing conveniences in regulation, financing, and foreign exchange settlement [9][10]. - It also establishes a trade adjustment assistance system to support enterprises affected by trade remedy measures, enhancing their resilience against international trade challenges [10][11]. Group 4: Risk Management and Policy Stability - The law includes mechanisms for trade policy assessment to respond to changes in the international trade environment, ensuring a proactive approach to trade risks [10][11]. - By formalizing the negative list management for cross-border services, the law aims to increase policy stability and authority, thereby improving the implementation of related policies [4][5].

Core Viewpoint - The newly revised Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, effective from March 1, 2026, represents a significant overhaul aimed at enhancing the legal framework for foreign trade, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, and reflects China's commitment to high-level openness in international trade [1][3]. Group 1: Legislative Changes - The new law includes 11 chapters and 83 articles, establishing a negative list management system for cross-border service trade, indicating China's open attitude towards international service trade [3][5]. - The law aims to elevate previously successful reform measures to a legal status, enhancing the legal basis for cross-border service trade and ensuring better coordination with other relevant laws [6][4]. Group 2: Support for Trade Development - The law emphasizes the importance of promoting cross-border financial services, supporting digital trade development, and establishing a green trade system, which includes product standards and international cooperation [8][9]. - It recognizes the strategic position of green trade in China's foreign trade development, aiming to reduce global transition costs while enhancing international collaboration on green products [9][10]. Group 3: Support for SMEs - The law specifically supports small and micro enterprises in foreign trade by providing conveniences in regulation, financing, and foreign exchange settlement [12][13]. - It establishes a trade adjustment assistance system to support enterprises affected by trade remedy measures, enhancing their resilience against international trade challenges [13][14]. Group 4: Risk Management and Policy Stability - The law includes provisions for a warning and emergency mechanism to assess trade policies of relevant countries, allowing for timely responses to trade environment changes [14]. - It aims to enhance the stability and authority of policies related to cross-border service trade, ensuring a more transparent and predictable regulatory environment [5][6].

Core Points - Hainan Free Trade Port will commence its closure operation on December 18, with significant growth in service trade and foreign investment in the first three quarters of 2023, showing increases of 23.1% and 42.2% respectively [1] - The Ministry of Commerce has prepared for the implementation of closure policies, including the release of a list of prohibited and restricted import/export goods, and the relaxation of import management for 98 product codes [1] - The Ministry aims to enhance trade management transparency and has conducted simulations to ensure smooth policy execution [1] Group 1 - The Ministry of Commerce will leverage the closure operation to promote institutional openness and position Hainan Free Trade Port as a key gateway for China's new era of opening up [2] - The focus will be on integrating trade management policies with zero tariffs and tax exemptions for processing and value-added activities, maximizing the benefits of openness [2] - There will be an emphasis on expanding market access in the service sector and improving the management system for the negative list of cross-border service trade [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Commerce aims to enhance the management system for the negative list of cross-border service trade and expand pilot programs in telecommunications and healthcare, while steadily promoting autonomous openness in education and culture sectors [1] Group 1: Policy Initiatives - The Ministry of Commerce will establish a comprehensive negative list management system for cross-border service trade [1] - There will be a push to expand pilot programs in the telecommunications and healthcare sectors [1] - The Ministry is actively working towards joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement [1] Group 2: Development Environment - The Ministry plans to optimize the development environment by leveraging free trade pilot zones and other designated areas for testing and innovation [1] - There will be a focus on aligning with international high-standard trade rules and implementing domestic regulatory reference documents for service trade [1] - The goal is to create a transparent, stable, and predictable institutional environment for service trade [1] Group 3: International Cooperation - The Ministry will expand the international cooperation network for service trade and innovate cooperation methods [1] - There will be an emphasis on deepening cooperation in various fields and achieving practical cooperation outcomes [1] - The Ministry aims to utilize platforms such as the Service Trade Fair, China International Import Expo, and Digital Expo to enhance international economic and trade cooperation [1]

Core Insights - The Chinese government has implemented a negative list management system for cross-border service trade to enhance transparency and predictability in the regulatory environment [1][2] - The establishment of this system is a significant step towards aligning with international high-standard trade rules and promoting institutional openness [1] - Specific measures have been introduced in free trade zones and Hainan Free Trade Port to expand market access in various sectors, including professional services and finance [1] Group 1 - The State Council issued opinions in September last year to promote high-quality development of service trade through high-level openness [1] - The Ministry of Commerce has reported that the negative list management has effectively improved management transparency and predictability [1] - The negative list management system and gradient opening framework were officially established in March 2024, following approval from the central government [1] Group 2 - The Ministry of Commerce is actively monitoring the implementation of the negative list and addressing any challenges encountered during the process [2] - Future efforts will focus on aligning with international trade rules and progressively enhancing the liberalization and facilitation of service trade [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent measures taken by the Chinese government to enhance the openness of the service market, particularly in free trade zones and Hainan Free Trade Port, aimed at facilitating cross-border service trade and attracting foreign professionals [1]. Group 1: Policy Initiatives - The Chinese government has implemented open arrangements in various fields such as professional qualifications, financial services, and cultural sectors within free trade zones [1]. - Foreign individuals are now allowed to take qualification exams for positions such as urban planner, real estate appraiser, and engineering supervisor in regions like Guangdong, Shanghai, Fujian, and Zhejiang [1]. - Overseas individuals can open securities or futures accounts in free trade zones to engage in investment consulting and trading activities [1]. Group 2: Regulatory Framework - In March 2024, the Ministry of Commerce will release special management measures for cross-border service trade, establishing a negative list management system and a gradient opening framework nationwide [1]. - The implementation of a negative list management for cross-border service trade is expected to enhance transparency and predictability in regulations, laying a solid foundation for a stable and transparent institutional environment [1].