State Council Announces Temporary Adjustments to FTZ Regulations

On January 9, 2018, the State Council issued a document making temporary adjustments to FTZ regulations related to other State Council-approved policies and regulations. Among several sectors effected, the adjustment touch upon ICT in relation to the revised 2017 foreign investment catalogue, released on June 28, 2017, on the operation of Internet news information services, (Item #26 under 'Industries in Which Foreign Investment is Prohibited"):
 
"Operation of Internet news information service, online publication services, online audio and video program streaming services, business premises for Internet access services, and Internet cultural business (excluding music), Internet public release information service".
 
According to the State Council’s notice, the implementation of this prohibited sector under the catalogue will be temporarily suspended meaning foreign investment in the above areas is permitted. This will apply to all of China's free trade zones.