Shanghai Weekly Bulletin is an information service presented by the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government in collaboration with Wolters Kluwer to foreign-funded enterprises, foreign-related institutions as well as people from overseas living in Shanghai. Covering major national and Shanghai foreign-related news, event information, policy Q&A and interpretations in the past week, it keeps you up-to-date with the latest foreign-related policies and developments in Shanghai.
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Laws and Regulations
【National】
Six Authorities Step Up the Tax Refund Upon Departure Measures to Expand Inbound Consumption
National Technical Committee 260 on Cybersecurity of SAC Releases Ethics-Safety Guidelines for AI Applications (Version 1.0)
【Shanghai】
Shanghai Deepens “Government Online-Offline Shanghai” Reform to Deliver Best Experience for Efficient One-Stop Government Services
2
Q&A
An official of the Ministry of Commerce Introduces the Highlights of the Enhanced Tax Refund Upon Departure Measures and Benefits for Inbound Travelers
3
Expert Perspective
Shanghai Releases Updated Measures and Supporting Documents for the Administration of the Negative List for Cross-Border Data Transfers
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One Week in Shanghai
【Latest News】
The Second APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting Held in Shanghai
Shanghai Launches Tailored Pocket Business Environment Guide for Enterprises
【Corporate Activities】
Versigent Brand Unveiled in Jiading
Shanghai Zhichun Messer Gases Officially Settles in Hongqiao
【Competitive Events】
2026 “Shanghai Design 100+” Global Competition Calls for Innovative Designs Worldwide
【Culture & Art】
The Second Shanghai Food Streets Season 2026 Officially Kicks Off
Hand-Drawn Architectural Drawings of Shanghai Exhibition: A Century of Shanghai’s Urban Evolution at a Glance
Encounter Century-Old Cultural Treasures at Xujiahui Metro Station: “The Shanghai Chapter” Special Exhibition
Laws and Regulations
National
1. Six Authorities Step Up the Tax Refund Upon Departure Measures to Expand Inbound Consumption
[Keywords: Tax refund on departure, Inbound consumption]
Recently, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and five other departments released the Notice on Stepping Up Efforts to Optimize Tax Refund Upon Departure Measures and Expand Inbound Consumption. The document proposes eight measures such as expanding coverage of tax refund stores, implementing random inspections for small-amount claims, and optimizing the “refund upon purchase” service. These measures aim to further optimize the “tax refund upon departure” measures and facilitate and expand inbound consumption.
Source: MOFCOM
2. National Technical Committee 260 on Cybersecurity of SAC Releases Ethics-Safety Guidelines for AI Applications (Version 1.0)
[Keywords: AI technology, Application ethics]
Recently, the National Technical Committee 260 on Cybersecurity of SAC (tc260) released the Ethics-Safety Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence Applications (Version 1.0). Focusing on the development, provision, and use of AI applications the document sets out key principles including promoting human wellbeing, respecting the right to life, ensuring fairness and justice, maintaining reasonable risk control, enhancing openness and transparency, protecting privacy and security, and ensuring that AI systems remain controllable and trustworthy.
Source: tc260
https://www.tc260.org.cn/portal/article/2/6aee9380ac44434d994eb6990bd92997
Shanghai
Shanghai Deepens “Government Online-Offline Shanghai” Reform to Deliver Best Experience for Efficient One-Stop Government Services
[Keywords: Government Online-Offline Shanghai]
Recently, the General Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government issued the Action Plan of Shanghai for Deepening the “Government Online-Offline Shanghai” Reform to Deliver Best Experience for Efficient One-Stop Government Services. The document introduces 26 measures across six areas. To further enhance the internationalization of government services, the document proposes a continued focus on the needs of foreign nationals by improving the service capabilities and professionalism of the International Services Shanghai portal. Measures include establishing dedicated service sections and launching a range of more convenient and personalized services.
Source: International Services Shanghai
Q&A
At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on measures to further optimize the tax refund upon departure policies and expand inbound consumption, an official from the MOFCOM answered questions from the media.
Q
Compared with last year’s Version 1.0 tax refund upon departure optimization policy, what are the highlights of the newly introduced measures? What tangible conveniences will they bring to inbound travelers?
A
The newly-introduced Version 2.0 tax refund upon departure policy represents an upgraded package of measures building on last year’s policy framework. Focusing on achieving “more stores, less waiting time, paperless processing, and standardized services”, the new measures are designed to further facilitate the tax refund upon departure procedures for travelers, improve the inbound consumption environment, and strengthen the “Shop in China” brand.
“More stores” means expanding the network of departure tax refund stores. In response to the currently limited coverage, the Version 2.0 policy encourages more qualified merchants to register as tax refund stores and optimize their spatial layout. Efforts will be made to fully leverage the leading role of international consumption center cities and pilot cities for internationalized consumption environment development. By supporting local authorities in selecting key commercial districts, tourist attractions, marketplaces, and ports with high volumes of overseas visitors, we aim to achieve near-full coverage of tax refund stores in major locations. In addition, to facilitate shopping and tax refund services for exhibitors and business visitors attending major exhibitions in China, including the China International Import Expo, the China Import and Export Fair, and the China International Consumer Products Expo, support will be provided for the establishment of dedicated tax refund upon departure service areas at exhibition venues, creating integrated tax refund service platforms for major trade fairs.
“Less waiting time” means reducing customs verification times at departure ports. Since the launch of the Version 1.0 policy last year, the volume of the tax refund upon departure transactions has increased significantly, with the number of applications in the first quarter of 2026 rising nearly fivefold year on year. To improve processing efficiency, the Version 2.0 policy draws on international practices by introducing a random inspection mechanism for application forms involving a tax-refundable sales amount below RMB 10,000. Only travelers selected through random checks will be required to undergo physical customs inspection of the goods, which is expected to substantially reduce queueing times at departure ports.
“Paperless processing” aims to enhance the digitalization of tax refund services.Our research revealed that some travelers failed to claim refunds because they had lost their paper application forms or sales invoices. To address this issue, the Version 2.0 policy introduces paperless tax refund processing. After customs authorities or authorized service agencies enter the traveler’s identity information, the system will automatically retrieve the application forms and invoice information, eliminating the requirement to present paper documents. Travelers who prefer traditional paper-based processing may still continue to use that method. It should also be noted that both the paperless processing measure and the random inspection mechanism for small value refunds will officially take effect on July 1 this year.
“Standardized services” focuses on optimizing the “refund upon purchase” service. During the nationwide expansion of the pilot program, issues have emerged such as the lack of mutual recognition across different regions and inconsistent departure deadlines among localities. In response, the MOFCOM, together with relevant departments, is actively coordinating with authorized service agencies to promote cross regional mutual recognition of the “refund upon purchase” service, enabling travelers to complete tax refund procedures at ports of departure outside the place of purchase. At the same time, we are guiding service agencies to extend the departure deadline for the service across different regions to 28 days nationwide. Authorized agencies, including Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, have also developed self-service tax refund machines and deployed them in shopping malls to provide standardized and automated services.
Going forward, we will continue to work with relevant departments to strengthen information sharing and business coordination, making it more convenient for overseas travelers to access information and complete tax refund procedures. Through more efficient and integrated services, we aim to deliver a smoother “one stop” experience, enabling foreign visitors to enjoy a more convenient and rewarding consumption experience in China.
Source: SCIO
http://www.scio.gov.cn/live/2026/38563/tw/
Expert Perspective
Shanghai Releases Updated Measures and Supporting Documents for the Administration of the Negative List for Cross-Border Data Transfers
By Dong Xiao, Wang Weihua, Rao Jiacheng [JunHe LLP]
[Continued from the Previous Issue]
[Article Summary]
Under Shanghai’s updated Administrative Measures for the Negative List for Cross-Border Data Transfers (“Updated Measures”), enterprises seeking to transfer data overseas through the negative list mechanism are required to file records with the district authorities where they are located, and submit information on the data intended for export. The Shanghai Cyberspace Administration, together with the Shanghai Data Administration, will review the application and provide the feedback. If the data transfer does not fall within the scope of the negative list, enterprises shall proceed in accordance with existing regulations. If the transfer falls within the negative list, enterprises must lawfully conduct a security assessment, execute a standard contract, or obtain certification. Data outside the list may flow across borders in an orderly and lawful manner.
Even where the negative list mechanism applies, enterprises are still required to fulfill obligations including notification and obtaining separate consent, conducting personal information protection impact assessments, defining data protection responsibilities, and adopting necessary security measures. Companies must also strengthen ongoing and ex post compliance management by retaining logs, promptly updating filings in the event of changes, reporting and remedying risk incidents, cooperating with inspections and spot checks, and submitting annual reports on overall cross-border data transfer activities at year end.
The Updated Measures are expected to streamline cross-border compliance procedures for enterprises.
[Article Details]
III. Procedures for Implementation
