"IT companies and companies doing business online can take some comfort in the fact that the legislators backpedaled and have tied the requirement to provide technical interface and decryption information to the government to the conduct of a specific counterterror investigation. But how much process will be involved with requests to provide that assistance is open to question."

"Indeed the change from one to two child policy is quite a significant move by the central government which most consider to be a step in the right direction both from human and economic perspectives. In terms of immediate impact on society that I have observed, many employers are challenged by the expected increase in trouble and costs. It used to be that they are reluctant to hire a female who has not had her child, but now even if she does have one, the reluctance will remain. The maternity and related sick leave pay they have to bear will be doubled, and maternity insurance premium is expected to rise which would translate into perhaps higher social security contribution costs, not to mention all the amendments that have to be made to employment contracts and manuals to adjust to the new policy."

"With the wide-ranging changes in the telecommunications and internet sectors, the 2003 telecommunications catalogue was in dire need of a refresh, and so to that extent, the new catalogue introduces welcome clarity to China’s telecommunications licensing regime. But careful what you wish for. The new catalogue also gives MIIT officials the tools and mandate to tighten licensing policies in relation to telecommunications and internet projects that were previously in a licensing grey area."

"With the boom of internet finance and P2P trading in recent years, the new non-bank payment measures are more focused on the supervision on online payment business, protection of customer rights and real name registration of payment accounts. The impact of the measures will reach beyond the payment market itself to promote the development of the e-commerce and internet finance sectors in China."

"The CNCA's new rules follow the gradual moves by Chinese regulators to facilitate parallel vehicle imports. Last year, China started a parallel vehicle imports pilot in Shanghai and other FTZs, but outdated certification regulations and poor after-sales service impeded progress. The [new] rules are part of a larger effort to lower the high cost of many premium foreign brands in the domestic market, which includes, among others, antitrust law enforcement against the anti-competitive business practices of carmakers and legislative initiatives, such as the amendment of car distribution rules and the drafting of antitrust guidelines in the motor vehicle sector, etc."

"While the consultation paper does not mention the qualification of, or capital requirements for the P2P platforms, the filing by a P2P platform with the local regulators does not constitute recognition or evaluation of the P2P platform’s operational capability, regulatory compliance or credit standing. To a certain extent, it reflects the regulators’ position that the P2P business should mainly be driven by market forces, and the regulators’ involvements should be kept to the minimum. It also reflects the government’s desire to encourage further innovation to the financial industry, but at the same time keeping the risks at bay."

"As China has become a key 'glocal' battleground for IP intensive industries, the draft IP antitrust guidelines reflect Chinese antitrust enforcers' nuanced approach in balancing the need to encourage innovation through IP protection and the need to curb certain anti-competitive behaviour by essential IP holders."

"Overall, this is a positive development and consistent with the message of lowering market entry barriers. But as with any form of liberalisation in China, the key to success will be consistent implementation and broad application throughout China."