China Promulgates New Measures for the Administration of Outbound Investments
On 21 August 2026, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC“) National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC“) published the draft Measures for the Administration of Outbound Investment (对外投资管理办法(修订征求意见稿)) for public comments. On 22 October 2026, NDRC promulgated the final Measures for the Administration of Outbound Investment (对外投资管理办法, or “New ODI Administrative Measures“), which takes effect on 1 December 2026.
The New ODI Administrative Measures are issued pursuant to the Regulations on Outbound Investment (国务院关于对外投资的规定) (“Order 837“) issued by the PRC State Council which took effect from 1 July 2026 and will replace the previous Administrative Measures for Enterprise Outbound Investment (企业境外投资管理办法, or “2017 Measures“).
Key features of the New ODI Administrative Measures:
- Resident individuals confirmed as investors: Resident individuals must file their outbound investments with the provincial-level NDRC where their household registration or habitual residence is located.
- Expanded scope of overseas re-investment reporting: Under the 2017 Measures, a re-investment reporting applied only to large non-sensitive overseas re-investments where the Chinese party’s investment amount was US$ 300 million or more. It now extends to all non-sensitive overseas re-investments, as well as round-trip investments made into China through overseas enterprises or other organisations under their control. Reports must be submitted at least 10 working days before the investment is implemented.
- Preliminary and annual reporting to NDRC: A new prior reporting system for important preliminary work has been introduced. Investors must file a report before taking any important preliminary steps where: (i) the Chinese party’s investment amount is US$100 million or more; or (ii) it concerns China’s diplomatic relations with relevant countries. These include commitments to foreign governments, signing investment agreements or other preliminary work which may affect China’s diplomatic relations with that country. Investors must also report annually to NDRC on their outbound investments, in addition to their existing annual reporting to the commerce and foreign exchange authorities. Together, these requirements extend NDRC’s oversight across the entire outbound investment lifecycle, from pre-deal to post-completion.
Since Order 837 was issued, authorities have already adjusted outbound direct investment application reviews, applying stricter standards in some cases. The New ODI Administrative Measures are expected to tighten scrutiny further. Chinese investors and their overseas counterparties must monitor these developments closely, assess their potential impact on existing transaction structures and prepare early.
Laos and China Launch Cross-border Digital Payment Link
Laos and China have launched a cross-border digital payment connection to facilitate payments and strengthen financial cooperation, trade, tourism and investment, according to a report by the Vientiane Times. Citing the Global Times, which drew on information from the People’s Bank of China, the report states that the initiative was officially launched on 18 September 2026 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The connection links China’s digital yuan (“e-CNY“) with Laos’ local quick response (“QR“)-payment system, enabling Chinese visitors to pay participating Lao merchants using digital-yuan wallets. Both countries are also working to expand payment functions and use cases to facilitate travel, tourism and other economic exchanges.
The new link builds on earlier cooperation between the two countries. In late 2025, Bank of China’s Vientiane branch was among the first institutions to connect to China’s digital-yuan cross-border payment platform and complete a QR-code payment in Laos. The service provided real-time exchange rates and clearing, enabling Chinese visitors to pay Lao merchants directly using e-CNY.
The latest development extends cooperation beyond consumer payments to include trade settlement, and investment and financing services through the Cross-border e-CNY Transfer Services (“CBETS“) platform. Some Lao banks have already connected to CBETS and activated these services.
Opened to an initial group of 26 financial institutions in June, CBETS supports round-the-clock cross-border digital payments and settlement.
Singapore and China Reaffirm Cooperation on Sustainable Finance
On 18 September 2026, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the People’s Bank of China held the 4th annual Singapore-China Green Finance Taskforce meeting, reaffirming Singapore’s and China’s commitment to advance cooperation in sustainable finance and explore emerging areas of interest. The meeting discussed joint initiatives, including (i) expanding collaboration on taxonomy interoperability beyond the mapping of green activities to cover transition activities, (ii) encouraging the issuance of green panda bonds, and (iii) leveraging technology to facilitate sustainable financing solutions.
Additional emerging areas of interest include (i) biodiversity credits; (ii) insurance solutions for climate resilience and adaptation; and (iii) carbon markets. In particular, the meeting explored innovative blended finance structure involving insurance solutions to mobilise private capital for sustainable financing, as well as opportunities to foster cross-border carbon market connectivity, and climate-resilient infrastructure development.
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Singapore and China Sign Nuclear Cooperation MOU
On 17 August 2026, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (“MTI“) Singapore and the China Atomic Energy Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU“) on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
The MOU facilitates capability building partnerships between Singapore and China, as part of Singapore’s engagements with international partners including the US, France, and South Korea. It supports Singapore’s development of independent capabilities to assess the potential deployment of nuclear energy and contributes to Singapore’s preparations for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (“INIR“) Phase 1 Mission in 2027. Earlier on 18 May 2026, Singapore’s MTI, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Energy Market Authority, and National Environmental Agency jointly announced that Singapore will be undertaking the INIR Phase 1 Mission, marking a key milestone in Singapore’s nuclear capability building and to develop capabilities in assessments of advanced nuclear energy technologies for power generation.
The key areas for capability building partnerships covered under the MOU include:
safety and technical assessments of nuclear reactor technologies;
manpower training and scientific visits;
public education, communications, and engagement;
nuclear safety, safeguards, and security; and
- nuclear technology applications.
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Please note that whilst the information in this Update is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief at the time of writing, it is only intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be treated as a substitute for specific professional advice
