China's Ministry of Justice (MOJ) on Wednesday announced that work is progressing on a draft regulation on building unified national market .
During a press conference, Jiang Shan, director of the Second Bureau of Legislation, said that the MOJ is taking the lead in drafting this regulation, aiming to provide a solid legal foundation for advancing unified national market construction. "We are leading the drafting of the regulation on building a unified national market, to provide strong legal protection for its deepening development. The Ministry of Justice and the National Development and Reform Commission are actively leading the research and drafting process," said Jiang.
"The new regulation would comprehensively implement the 'five unifications and one opening up' principles. Through firm legal and regulatory measures, we will resolutely eliminate bottlenecks and obstacles impeding the construction of a unified national market, such as local protectionism, market fragmentation, and 'involution-style' competition, so as to strengthen domestic circulation and improve the flow between domestic and international markets," he said.
The "five unifications and one opening up" refer to the unification of underlying market institutions, market infrastructure, government conduct, regulatory enforcement, and markets of production factors and resources, as well as the continuous expansion of the opening up both internally and externally.
"We have collected, from over 150 entities, including relevant departments of central Party and state organs, provincial-level people's governments, relevant enterprises and industry associations, information on bottlenecks and obstacles and their legislative requests. On this basis, we have repeatedly studied and revised the proposed regulation, and have already completed a preliminary draft," said Jiang.
Draft regulation on building unified national market underway: Ministry of Justice
China's top legislature has convened its latest standing committee session in Beijing from November 2 to 6 to review a series of draft laws and amendment bills addressing issues including procuratorial public interest litigation, state-owned assets, Antarctic protection, and combating cross-border corruption.
The second draft of the cross-border anti-corruption bill anchors legislation in a holistic approach to national security, and stresses strict rule of law, due process and human rights protection.
According to Zhou Guangquan, Vice Chairman of the Constitution and Law Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, the draft sets out provisions for authorities to use information technology in cross-border anti-corruption work.
He also noted that members of the public have called for tighter safeguards for state secrets, work secrets, trade secrets, personal information and privacy.
Separately, some Standing Committee members and experts said enterprises with cross-border operations should factor in company size, business scope and risk prevention needs when establishing integrity compliance units or appointing dedicated anti-corrruption staff. Following deliberation, the suggestion was put forward for adoption.
The session will also review the second reading of the draft financial law.
The latest draft aims to boost consumer and investor protection, unify asset management rules, regulate online financial marketing, and tighten oversight of cross-border financial activities.
Xin Chunying, Chairperson of the Constitution and Law Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, said the committee proposed adding a rule that prevents overseas institutions or individuals providing financial products and services within Chinese territory without approval.
She also stated that entities legally providing such products and services in China must comply with laws, administrative regulations and the provisions of the State Council's financial regulatory authorities.
The draft Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law entered its third reading at the session with updated clauses outlining China's participation in global Antarctic governance, improving the national expedition management system, and protecting Chinese citizens' lawful rights in Antarctica.
Several other draft law revisions are being tabled for first deliberation at this session, including amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law to refine the foreign-related criminal litigation system, a revised Renewable Energy Law to tighten regulations and boost industrial development, and several updates to the Ecology and Environment Code that took effect in August.
Lawmakers will also review a State Council proposal to ratify the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.
China's top legislature convenes standing committee session
