Fay Zhou, Vivian Cao and Xi Liao of Linklaters discuss the recently introduced Leniency and Commitments Guidelines by highlighting their differences in application, scope and legal implications, as well as whether companies should adopt the leniency or commitments mechanisms to seek comparatively favorable or less severe outcomes when responding to antitrust investigations
U.S.-China investment flows fell to record lows during the Trump administration, but a Biden administration is unlikely to deviate from its predecessor's policy goals
Trump issues executive order prohibiting purchasing of securities in Chinese military-affiliated companies; China signs RCEP trade agreement with 14 other Asia-Pacific countries; and SAMR releases draft antimonopoly rules targeting internet companies
China's data protection regime is further aligning with the GDPR, good news for both Chinese companies wanting to go global as well as foreign companies already GDPR-compliant
SAMR issues the first anti-monopoly guidelines for online platform operators, the revised Copyright Law largely increases the cost of infringement and SPC clarifies guarantor liability.
Fang Qi and Danlei Wu of Fangda Partners highlight the main provisions in the recently introduced Fourth Amendment to the PRC Patent Law, which aims to establish a patent linkage system for patents in the pharmaceuticals industry, bring about significant changes to the design patent regime, strengthen patent protection against infringement and tackle the issue of abuse of patent rights
Ant Group dual-listing suspended following new micro-lending rules draft; new draft rules for financial holding companies' leadership; and national carbon emission trading scheme draft measures published