Database

Browse Database

CHINA

Since January 2003, last amended in January 2014
Since May 2022
Since July 2022

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Government Procurement Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国政府采购法)

Guofa (2022) No. 12 on a Package of Policy Measures (国发〔2022〕12号 揽子政策措施的通知)

Caiku (2022) No. 19 on Further Strengthening Government Procurement Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (财库〔2022〕19号 关于进一步加大政府采购支持中小企业力度的通知)
According to Art. 9 of the Government Procurement Law, government procurement must facilitate the achievement of China's policies for economic and social development, including but not limited to environmental protection, assistance to underdeveloped or ethnic minority areas, and the promotion of SMEs.
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has issued a Notification on Further Supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Public Procurement (MOF Announcement No. 19) in response to the State Council's Notification on a Package of Policy Measures to Stabilize the Economy (Guo Fa 2022 No.12). This announcement outlines three primary directives for relevant procuring entities: (i) strict implementation of public procurement policies supporting SMEs; (ii) enhancement of price preferences for SMEs; (iii) augmentation of the proportion of reserves allocated for SMEs.
Furthermore, MOF Announcement No. 19 introduces significant modifications to the preferential treatment of SMEs in public procurement. The price deduction preferential rate for small and micro enterprises in goods and service procurement projects has been increased from the previously stipulated 6%-10% (as per Document No. 46 of Caiku 2020) to 10%-20%. Moreover, for large and medium-sized enterprises that form consortia with or subcontract to small and micro enterprises, the preferential rate has been elevated from 2%-3% to 4%-6%.
Coverage Horizontal

CHINA

N/A

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
Lack of participation in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
China is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). However, the country has been an observer of the WTO GPA since 2002.
Coverage Horizontal

CHINA

Since June 2018, last amended in 2024
Since 2000, last amended in 2015

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (外商投资准入特别管理措施(负面清单))

Classification Catalogue of Telecommunications Services (电信业务分类目录)
Section 12 of the "Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access" provides that the foreign shareholding ratio in value‑added telecommunications services, except for e‑commerce, domestic multi‑party communications, store‑and‑forward services, and call centres, must not exceed 50%. According to the "Classification Catalogue of Telecommunications Services", value‑added telecommunications services include Internet data centre services, content delivery network services, domestic Internet protocol virtual private network services, Internet access services, online data processing and transaction processing services, domestic multi‑party communication services, store‑and‑forward services, call centre services, information services, code and regulation conversion services, and Internet domain name resolution services.
In 2024, the Chinese government removed foreign shareholding restrictions on six categories of value‑added telecommunications services within designated pilot areas in Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, and Shenzhen. This policy now permits foreign enterprises to operate independently in the following value‑added telecommunications service sectors within those pilot zones: Internet data centre services, content distribution network services, Internet service provision, online data processing and transaction processing services, information services including information publication and delivery (excluding Internet news, online publishing, online audio‑visual services, and Internet cultural operations), and information protection and processing services. Reports indicate that by February 2025, 13 foreign‑invested enterprises had been granted approval to participate in this scheme.
Coverage Value-added telecommunications services, including Internet data centre services and online data processing and transaction processing services

CHINA

Since December 2001, entry into force in January 2002, last amended in March 2022
Since 2000, last amended in 2015

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Administrative Provisions on Foreign-funded Telecommunications Enterprises (外商投资电信企业管理规定)

Classification Catalogue of Telecommunications Services (电信业务分类目录)
Art. 6 of the "Administrative Provisions on Foreign‑funded Telecommunications Enterprises" stipulates that, unless otherwise prescribed by the State, the aggregate equity held by foreign investor(s) in a foreign‑funded telecommunications enterprise engaged in basic telecommunications services, excluding radio paging services, may not ultimately exceed 49%, and the "Classification Catalogue of Telecommunications Services" identifies all categories of basic telecommunications services that fall within the scope of this restriction.
Coverage Basic telecommunications services

CHINA

Since June 2018, last amended in 2024

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (外商投资准入特别管理措施(负面清单))
Section 13 of the "Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access" stipulates that foreign investment in Internet news and information services, Internet publishing services, Internet audio-visual programme services, and cyber culture operations, excluding music, is prohibited. The prohibition also extends to Internet public information services, except in relation to content that has been liberalised in accordance with China’s commitments under the World Trade Organization.
Coverage Internet news and information services, Internet publishing services, Internet audio-visual programme services, cyber culture operations, and Internet public information services
"SELECT DISTINCT(post_id) FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'CN')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
[{"post_id":"111022"},{"post_id":"111023"},{"post_id":"111024"}]
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'impact' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'CN')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'CN')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
ITA: [{"meta_value":"0.00"}]

CHINA

ITA signatory? I II

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
0.71%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
60.46%
Coverage: ICT goods

CHINA

Since April 2003
Since December 2015

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Information Technology Agreement (ITA)

ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
China is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996 and its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods

CHINA

Since April 2007, extended in April 2019 and April 2025, until April 2030

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Antidumping measure
In April 2007, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China announced anti-dumping duties on electrolytic capacitor paper (HS 480511, 480591) imported from Japan. This measure was revised and extended in April 2013, and then in April 2019 and in April 2025. The rate of duty imposed ranges from 15% to 40.83%, depending on the company. Electrolytic capacitor paper is used in an aluminum electrolytic capacitor that is a component of home electric appliances, computers, and more. This paper is used to retain electrolytic solution and insulation between the cathode foil and anode foil as main functions.
Coverage Product: Paper for electrolytic capacitor (HS 480511, 480591)

Country: Japan

CHINA

Since August 2014, extended in August 2020

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Antidumping measure
In August 2014, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) announced anti-dumping duties on single-mode optical fibres imported from India. In August 2020, the MOFCOM reported that it would continue to impose antidumping duties for another five years (until August 2025). The rate of duty imposed ranges from 7.4% to 30.6%, depending on the company. China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that on 14 August 2025 it had initiated an expiry review of the existing measures, during which the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council will maintain the anti‑dumping duties without modification, thereby leaving both the scope of application and the duty rates unchanged.
Coverage Product: Single-mode optical fibre (HS 900110, 901890)

Country: India

CHINA

Since August 2015, extended in 2018 and July 2024, until 2029

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Antidumping measure
China imposes anti-dumping duties on optical fibre preforms imported from Japan and the United States, with current rates of 14.4%-31.2% for Japanese products and 17.4%-41.7% for those from the United States. The measures were first introduced in August 2015 for two years, extended in 2018 for a further five years, and renewed again in July 2024 for an additional five-year period. Optical fibre preforms are a key input in the manufacture of optical fibres, which are used to transmit signals through various types of optical cables.
Coverage Product: Optical fibre preform (HS 70022010)

Countries: Japan, United States

CHINA

Since January 2005, extended in January 2011, 2017 and 2022, until January 2027

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Antidumping measure
In January 2005, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China announced anti-dumping duties on non-displacement single-mode optical fibres (used, for example, for long-distance telephony and multichannel television broadcasting systems) (HS code: 9001.1000) imported from Japan and South Korea. This measure was reviewed and extended in January 2011 and, subsequently, in January 2017 and January 2022. The rate of duty imposed on imports originating in Japan is 46%, while imports originating in South Korea range from 7.9% to 46%, depending on the company.
Coverage Product: Dispersion unshifted single-mode optical fibres (HS 9001.1000)

Countries: Japan, South Korea

CHINA

Since April 2011, extended in April 2017 and 2022, until April 2027

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Antidumping measure
In April 2011, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China announced anti-dumping duties on non-displacement single-mode optical fibres (used, for example, for long-distance telephony and multichannel television broadcasting systems) (HS code: 9001.1000) imported from the EU and the U.S. This measure was reviewed and extended in April 2017 and, subsequently in April 2022. The duty rate on imports originating from the European Union ranges from 12.9% to 29.1%, depending on the company. The duty rate on imports originating from the United States ranges from 33.3% to 78.2%, depending on the company.
Coverage Product: Dispersion unshifted single-mode optical fibres (HS 9001.1000)

Countries: European Union, United States

JAPAN

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Japan has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal

JAPAN

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Japan has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal

JAPAN

Since 1961
Since 1971

Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (Act No. 234 of 1961) (昭和三十六年法律第二百三十四号電気用品安全法)

Consumer Product Safety Act (Act No. 31 of 1971) (昭和四十八年法律第三十一号消費生活用製品安全法)
The type of conformity assessment procedure adopted is the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) type 2 - the supplier or manufacturer of the equipment declares the equipment meets the technical and administrative requirements on the basis of test reports by a testing laboratory recognised by the regulator. No registration of the equipment with the regulator is required. This mandatory requirement is limited to EMI for the products covered by the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law.
The Act divides electrical products into specified and non-specified products. While specified electrical products such as AC adapters and electric massagers require third-party assessment by a registered conformity assessment body (CAB), non-specified electrical products are subject to a self-declaration scheme for mandatory PSE marks.
Similarly, under the Consumer Product Safety Act (Act No. 31 of 1968), some electrical products classified as special specified products because of high risk to consumer safety require a third-party assessment by a registered CAB, while specified products with moderate risk to consumer safety are subject to self-declaration for PSC mark.
Coverage Electrical products

Report issue     Report new measure