Guangdong Promotes Measures for Free Trade Zone Reform and Innovation

The Guangdong provincial government recently issued a circular about replicating trial reforms undertaken in the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Yue Fu Han No. 77 [2020]). The circular calls on government departments at or above the prefectural level to follow 11 ‘sixth batch’ measures, including investment and trade facilitation, changes to government functions, and rules-based development. Reform measures to be replicated throughout the province include the establishment of a one-stop service window for international talents, “one-off processing” of ship certificates and documents, and establishment of a joint penalty mechanism for intellectual property infringements. Reform items to be replicated in specific areas in the province include the opening of a WeChat tax (and fee) payment service and of online tax payment systems for Hong Kong and Macao businesses and residents in their own territories.

Source: Guangdong Provincial People’s Government