Features & Analyses

Privately concluded land sales in China cost the state huge sums in lost revenue, and often mask collusion between the parties involved. This month we examine in detail the attempts to create a transparent legal framework for land use transactions.

Customs compliance and tax planning for cross-border transactions are becoming more important and complex. Payments between different links in a cross-border supply chain must be structured carefully to avoid high customs value and possible double taxation.

Shanghai aims to become a regional business hub. New rules have been issued that supplement initial steps that Shanghai took in the summer of 2002 to make itself a focus of international business.

China's fast-growing real estate sector is regulated by a confusing patchwork of laws, and disputes have been on the rise. The Supreme People's Court has issued a new Interpretation that brings some welcome clarity to real estate sales and purchase contracts.

Cooperative educational programmes have been a fast-growing sector in China. New rules governing cooperative educational programmes operating in China contains important changes.

The aftermath of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in China has impacted regulation of the workplace environment and initiated a reassessment of the legal framework governing employee rights and employer obligations.

Bancassurance has plenty of scope for growth in China but the regulatory hurdles to greater integration of the marketing of financial products mean that alternative investment strategies must be pursued, at least for the foreseeable future.

Shanghai aims to become a regional business hub. New rules have been issued that supplement initial steps that Shanghai took in the summer of 2002 to make itself a focus of international business.

The body of laws governing the bidding process for construction projects in the PRC has seen an important new addition, with the Invitation and Submission of Bids for Construction Projects Procedures (the New Procedures) issued on March 8 2003 and effective May 1 2003.