State Council

China has enacted a new overseas-investment law to protect national interests from trade barriers and unauthorized use of advanced technology abroad, but analysts caution it may disrupt foreign partners' operations. The State Council's 34-article Regulation on Overseas Investment authorizes defensive measures against foreign trade-related barriers.

China has released its 15th five-year plan for a new-type energy system, aiming for 30% clean energy in power generation by 2030, with wind and solar as the mainstay. The Group of Seven (G7) has urged diversification of rare earth supply chains to reduce reliance on China, prompting responses about strengthening domestic critical mineral strategies. China also emphasized climate governance and green development in its approved five-year plans.

A May 22 gas explosion at Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province killed 82 miners and injured 128. Investigations revealed concealed tunnels, falsified data, and unregistered miners lacking safety equipment as contributing factors, alongside initial underreporting of the death toll and public anger over safety violations.

Hong Kong-registered yachts can now berth more easily in designated mainland Chinese ports in the Greater Bay Area due to waived customs guarantees and simplified administrative procedures. The State Council revised maritime policies to allow Hong Kong and Macau leisure yachts to enter these ports without customs guarantees and under a temporary vessel nationality registration policy.

China's urban renewal projects, including home upgrades and gas pipeline rebuilding, require at least 15 trillion yuan ($2.2 trillion) over five years from 2026. The State Council's guideline, part of the 15th five-year plan (2026-2030), aims to boost construction and property sectors.

China is reforming its hukou system to allow 350 million rural migrant workers to access urban social services, aiming to boost economic growth by turning them into permanent urban consumers. The reform faces challenges, including resistance from urban elites and funding infrastructure costs, but is seen as critical for addressing slowing economic growth and youth unemployment.

China is reforming its hukou system to allow 350 million rural migrant workers to settle in cities, aiming to boost consumption as economic growth slows. The State Council's recent move to ease residency restrictions could transform temporary workers into permanent urban residents, but challenges like urban resistance and funding infrastructure remain.

China aims to improve healthcare, education, and public services for 357 million migrant workers to enhance urban living standards and stimulate consumer spending. Local governments will lift social security restrictions and expand access to public schools for migrant children, as announced by the State Council.

China's new social insurance residency policy, announced by the State Council, aims to boost economic growth by allowing workers to enroll in insurance programs in their cities of employment, regardless of household registration. Analysts view this as a positive step toward creating a unified national market.

China's State Council has announced new measures to remove hukou (residency) restrictions that prevent migrant workers from accessing social insurance in their work locations. The policy aims to expand social insurance coverage nationwide and strengthen labor protections as part of efforts to create a unified national market.

China's State Council released two sets of regulations in late March and early April designed to protect supply-chain security and counter foreign extraterritorial jurisdiction, raising concerns among multinational corporations that routine business decisions could trigger retaliation. The vague provisions in these regulations could expose foreign companies to penalties including import/export restrictions, fines, asset seizures, and visa cancellations for complying with U.S. sanctions or making supply-chain adjustments.