November 2025 China Policy and Measurments Briefing for Business Leaders
November 2025 brought several important government releases, including new implementation opinions, targeted measures and updated regulations.
Together, they outline China’s current direction in manufacturing, HR development, private investment, immigration facilitation and environmental compliance. Here are the six updates businesses should pay attention to.
1. Implementation Opinions Issued on Expanding New Application Scenario Development
China introduced new Implementation Opinions defining 22 high value application areas across emerging industries. These areas connect technology with market adoption and will shape local pilot programs and government funding plans in the next two years.
For foreign invested businesses, this means more projects, more pilots and more collaboration opportunities in 2026–2027.
The 22 Key Scenario Fields
Below is a simplified view of the 22 areas where China will expand application scenarios.
New Technology & Emerging Industries
- Digital economy
- Artificial intelligence
- Unmanned systems (air, land, sea)
- Biotechnology
- Clean energy & smart energy systems
- Marine technology
Industrial Upgrade
- Smart & green manufacturing
- Industrial software and industrial services
- Smart transportation
- Smart logistics
- Modern agriculture and digital breeding
Industry-Specific Scenarios
- Emergency response
- Mining safety & automation
- Smart water systems
- Construction safety digital twins
- Forestry & ecological monitoring
Public Services & Governance
- Digital government
- Smart cities
- Digital villages
Livelihood & Consumption
- Healthcare technology
- Elderly care & assistive tech
- Digital culture, tourism, immersive experiences
What Opportunities It Could Bring
- Scenario projects will be released in batches.
Expect scenario-based project lists, tenders, and pilot tasks from ministries and local governments.
- Focus on AI, 5G, robotics and Industrial Internet.
MIIT will accelerate:
- 5G+ factories
- AI+ manufacturing
- Robotics+ industrial operations
- “Beidou+” (China’s version of GPS) applications in logistics, cities and agriculture
- Faster commercialization of new technologies.
New mechanisms will connect R&D with scenario verification, then product, then industry adoption
- SOEs (state-owned companies) will release high-value scenarios.
Foreign and private companies can participate in testing, digital upgrades and technology pilots.
Although the document is framed as “Implementation Opinions”, it includes concrete instructions for ministries and local governments on how to deploy these 22 application areas. The Opinions outline who must act, what types of pilots to launch and how scenarios should be opened and tested over the next two years.
2. 39 Cities Selected to Pilot Integration Between HR Services and Manufacturing
China launched a national pilot program to link the HR services industry with the manufacturing sector, aiming to improve talent supply and hiring efficiency for advanced industries.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security selected 39 cities with strong manufacturing clusters and mature HR service ecosystems. Although the full list is not published, these cities share clear traits: solid industrial bases, large talent pools and strong government coordination.
The pilots focus on intelligent manufacturing, electronics, new energy, biotech and new materials.
Overall, the goal is to ensure manufacturers, including foreign invested ones, have a stable and high-quality talent pipeline.
3. China Expands Its Manufacturing Pilot Testing Platforms
In addition to the program above, China issued a new notice to accelerate the development of manufacturing pilot testing platforms and build a nationwide system by 2027. The goal is to speed up innovation and commercialization for all manufacturers, including foreign-invested ones.
These platforms provide testing, verification, trial production and engineering support, helping new technologies move from R&D to market faster.
The expansion covers AI, robotics, clean energy, biotech, new materials and industrial equipment.
For foreign manufacturers, this means easier access to testing facilities, faster technical validation and lower barriers when entering China’s supply chains.
4. China Introduces 13 Measures to Boost Private Investment
China released a package of 13 targeted measures to support private investment. Each measure focuses on a specific challenge, such as project access, financing, bidding rules, infrastructure use, digital transformation and testing platforms.
In short, China encourages private investment to participate in more national and local projects, including:
- Profitable railway, nuclear power, hydropower and energy transport projects
- Small and profitable urban infrastructure projects
- Low altitude economy infrastructure and commercial space projects
- National scientific research facilities
- Production-related service sectors such as design, testing, certification and digital transformation
For some national-level projects, private capital can hold more than 10 percent of shares when conditions allow.
Foreign-invested businesses may find more opportunities to join major energy, transport, infrastructure and scientific research projects, along with fairer access to bidding, permitting and essential infrastructure.
They will also benefit from wider financial support, including bank credit, policy loans and REITs, as well as stronger support for digital transformation, testing platforms and service-based innovation.
The 13 measures started taking effect from November 3, 2025 onward, with implementation carried out continuously by ministries and local governments throughout 2026 and beyond.
5. New Immigration Facilitation Measures Released
In November there were 10 immigration and entry-exit measures released aimed at improving mobility and making travel easier. Below is a easy-to-read summary of the most 3 important. These measures take effect from November 5 or November 20, depending on the item.
Here is the easy-to-read summary.
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24-Hour Direct Transit Without Immigration Check Expanded to 10 More Airports
New airports added include: Tianjin, Dalian, Nanjing, Fuzhou, Qingdao, Wuhan, Nanning, Haikou, Chongqing, Kunming.
Passengers with confirmed onward tickets can transfer within 24 hours without passing immigration.
Starts: 5 November 2025
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240-Hour Transit Visa-Free: 5 New Entry Ports in Guangdong
Guangdong now adds:
- Pazhou Passenger Port
- Hengqin
- Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge
- Zhongshan Port
- West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station
Who can stay: Citizens from the 55 approved countries may enter visa-free when transiting through China, stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours, and then continue to a third country or region.
Starts: 5 November 2025
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Foreigner Nationals Can Fill Out Entry Cards Online
Foreigners may complete entry declarations before arrival via:
- NIA website
- NIA app
- WeChat/Alipay mini-program
- QR code at airports
Paper cards remain available. Some categories are exempt entirely, including:
- Holders of Chinese permanent residence
- Hong Kong/Macau permit holders (non-Chinese nationals)
- Group-tour visa holders
- 24-hour direct transit passengers
Starts: 20 November 2025
6. Ecological Environment Monitoring Regulation
China officially released the Ecological Environment Monitoring Regulation, which will take effect on 1 January 2026.
The regulation sets strict rules for how environmental monitoring must be carried out, with a strong focus on data accuracy, digital systems and accountability.
If your business conducts self-monitoring (emissions, pollutants, wastewater, air quality etc), you must:
- Follow approved national standards and monitoring norms
- Use equipment that meets national specifications
- Install video monitoring at key sampling points
- Maintain strict data quality systems
- Keep all original monitoring records
- Never falsify or manipulate environmental data
Violations, including using non-compliant equipment or falsifying results, will face clear and strict legal penalties.
At Sapience Pro, we offer end-to-end consulting, tax advisory, and compliance support tailored to foreign-owned businesses in China.
Contact us to explore your options or schedule a consultation.
