"The release of the 15th batch of guiding cases brought the total number to 77, of which four were released in 2011 (only in the fourth quarter), eight in 2012, 10 in 2013, 22 in 2014, 12 in 2015 and 21 in 2016. The revival of the upward trend in guiding cases confirms what the CGCP has learned from our recent meeting with the SPC: guiding cases will be released in greater number and frequency going forward. Of the newest batch, No. 70 is of special significance for helping to clarify the crime of producing and selling toxic and harmful foods. This is obviously a topic of 'widespread concern to society', a criterion for selecting guiding cases."

"With this third draft, the NPC Standing Committee appears to be making significant progress in relation to the project of completing a formal codification of Chinese civil law. According to media reports, the draft is due to be presented at the general session of the NPC later this year."

"Likely there is still significant work to be done before the draft law is promulgated in final form. Nonetheless, this current draft is an important development as Chinese legislators seek to address a wide range of legal issues affecting the orderly development of China’s already immense e-commerce market."

"The reply was issued in the context that the residential land use rights of some Wenzhou residents expired in the absence of clear and definite national guidelines providing that renewal of the land use rights for residential purpose is free of charge. The reply provides transitional solutions to the dilemma encountered by these residents, who were unable to transfer their real estate because their land use rights expired, as well as to the operational challenges faced by local housing administration authorities in administrating real estate transactions and registrations. Even though only applicable to a small group of residents, the reply is a positive signal because it cites the auto-renewal clause from the 2007 Property Law, it provides that no fee will be charged for the renewal, and it emphasizes the necessity and importance of public expectations in relation to their property rights."

"Following a recent trend toward extending national treatment to foreign investment, the rules, together with the 2016 version of the investment catalogue, define the scope and stipulate the administrative procedures for both domestic and foreign-invested fixed asset investment projects that require NDRC verification. The rules require the government to carry out the verification or record-filing procedures through an online platform, which signals the government's efforts to further improve government administration efficiency."

"As Chinese businesses and individuals expand their global portfolios they are increasingly in need of quality international legal assistance, including regulatory and transactional advice and defense in some criminal cases. In addition, China's global trade and investment initiatives, as well as its desire to combat transnational crime and corruption, have increased the government's risk profile and its interest in improving the competitiveness of its legal counsel in the global arena."