New Regulations That May Affect Foreigners Starting January 2025
HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we usher in the new year, 2025 marks the beginning of several important changes in Shanghai. A series of new regulations and initiatives are set to be implemented. AnyShanghai has compiled a list of key new regulations that may affect foreign residents in the city.
1. Shanghai Adult Language Training Institutions Standards
Starting January 1, 2025, the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission will implement the “Shanghai Adult Language Training Institutions Setting Standards” in collaboration with other related departments. This initiative aims to strengthen the management of adult language training institutions in the city.
The standards apply to organizations or individuals (including shareholders of for-profit institutions and organizers of non-profit institutions) that use non-governmental funds to provide foreign language training for individuals over 18 years old. These training activities can take place either online or offline. The goal is to improve personal foreign language abilities. All such institutions must comply with the newly established standards. Those operating before the standard’s introduction must ensure compliance by December 31, 2025, and complete the required procedures.
Institutions focusing on examination for the self-taught or college entrance examination repreparation are not covered by this regulation, nor are special training activities subject to other pre-approval processes by relevant departments.
Read more about the new regulations here: https://www.shanghai.gov.cn/gwk/search/content/24485d2cf66b45a2861c055e83308129
To optimize the judicial resources available for foreign-related cases and HK, Macau, Taiwan-related cases, the Shanghai Higher People’s Court has issued new regulations regarding the jurisdiction of Shanghai’s Intermediate People’s Courts over foreign-related commercial and arbitration review cases.
These new regulations, effective from January 1, 2025, aim to better support Shanghai’s role in higher-level international openness and its ambition to build a financial and judicial center.
Under the new rules, certain commercial cases, including those involving foreign-invested enterprises, and cases related to arbitration will now be handled exclusively by Shanghai’s First Intermediate People’s Court.
In support of Hong Kong and Macau’s greater integration into national development, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has released the “Mainland to Hong Kong and Macau Flight Management Measures”, effective January 1, 2025.
These new measures are designed to improve the management of flight routes and resources between the mainland and the Hong Kong and Macau regions. As Hong Kong and Macau continue to deepen their role in the Greater Bay Area, air traffic and economic exchanges have increased significantly. The new measures aim to optimize the allocation of flight routes, improve the efficiency of aviation services, and support the growing economic and cultural exchange between the regions.
Full details on the new flight management regulations are available here: https://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/GFXWJ/202412/t20241219_226169.html
