China Revises Foreign Trade Law to Include National Security
Listen to the full version
China has revised its Foreign Trade Law to incorporate national security into trade policy, alongside updates to rules governing digital and green trade.
The new law, approved Saturday by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature, will take effect on March 1, 2026.
The revised law adds safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests to its general provisions. Authorities may ban or restrict imports, exports and international trade in services linked to activities that endanger China’s sovereignty, security or development interests, and bar individuals and organizations from providing agency, freight or other support to help circumvent such measures, according to the amended law.
Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.
Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.
- RELATED
- DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub
Back
- China revised its Foreign Trade Law to prioritize national security and strengthen rules on digital and green trade, effective March 1, 2026.
- Authorities can now ban or restrict trade threatening China's sovereignty, with stricter penalties for tech-related violations.
- The law promotes cross-border financial services, digitized trade processes, and low-carbon product trade, while allowing more flexibility in processing trade amid global uncertainties.
- December 28, 2025：
- The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress approved the revised Foreign Trade Law.
- MOST POPULAR
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook
Sign in with 财新