Marking the end of a long three-year wait, China has finally opened its doors to the world once more as of early 2023. This major event is slated to boost the growth of industries around the world and the Chinese economy, as a priority. A key player in the global economy and ranking at #31 in the World Bank’s 2019 Ease of Doing Business rankings reports, China has always been a large market carrying a strong spending power. With the GDP targeted to return to more than 5% post reopening of borders and the recent resumption of visa issuance for foreigners, China is ready to restore its economy.
Are you aware of the latest labour law updates in China? We’ve highlighted some major China Law changes for you to keep a note off across key states in the country!
1. New Minimum Wage – Certain cities in China have introduced a new Minimum Wage as of this year.
| Location | Effective Date | Minimum Wage per Hour (RMB) |
| Xingtai City, Hebei | January 2023 | 18 |
| Location | Effective Date | Minimum Wage per Month (RMB) |
| Guiyang City, Guizhou | February 2023 | 1,890 |
| Zunyi City, Guizhou | February 2023 | 1,890 |
| Xining City, Qinghai | February 2023 | 1,880 |
2. Ethnic Minorities’ 2023 Public Holidays
Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region: As of 25 December 2022, the public holiday schedule and working arrangement in the winter and summer are as follows:
| Festivals | Statutory Holidays |
| New Year’s Day | From December 31, 2022, to January 2, 2023, there will be a holiday for 3 days. |
| Spring Festival | From January 21st to 27th, there will be a seven-day holiday. Work will resume on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29. |
| Ching Ming Festival | Closed on April 5, a total of 1 day. |
| Rouzi Festival | April 22 is the Rouzi Festival, and April 21 is a holiday for one day. |
| Labour | From April 29 to May 3, there will be a five-day holiday. Work will resume on Sunday, April 23 and Saturday, May 6. |
| Dragon Boat Festival | From June 22 to 24, there will be a holiday of 3 days. Work will resume on Sunday, June 25. |
| Eid al-Adha | June 28-30 is a three-day holiday. |
| Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day | From September 29 to October 6, there will be a holiday of 8 days. Work will resume on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. |
Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region – As of 30 December 2022, the public holiday schedule and working arrangement are as follows:
| Festivals | Statutory Holidays |
| New Year’s Day | From December 31, 2022, to January 2, 2023, there will be a holiday for 3 days. |
| Spring Festival | From January 21st to 27th, there will be a seven-day holiday. Work will resume on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29. |
| Ching Ming Festival | Closed on April 5, a total of 1 day. |
| Eid al-Fitr | April 22 (Saturday) will be closed normally. April 23 (Sunday) will be implemented in accordance with the Labour Day holiday arrangement, and work will be carried out normally. |
| Labour Day | From April 29 to May 3, there will be a five-day holiday. Work will resume on Sunday, April 23 and Saturday, May 6. |
| Dragon Boat Festival | From June 22 to 24, there will be a holiday of 3 days. Work will resume on Sunday, June 25. |
| Eid al-Adha | June 29-30 is a holiday of 2 days. |
| Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day | From September 29 to October 6, there will be a holiday of 8 days. Work will resume on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. |
3. Increase in Maximum Amount of Taxable Housing Provident Fund
The Shiyan Housing Provident Fund Management Center in Hubei Province announced that the maximum amount of the taxable housing provident fund will be increased from ¥19,792 to ¥21,366 effective 1 January 2023.
4. Increase in Maximum Amount of Severance Payments
| Location | Effective Date | Maximum Amount of Severance Payments (RMB) |
| Xining City, Qinghai | January 2023 | 339,462 |
| Yueyang City, Hunan | January 2023 | 219,648 |
5. The Standard Contract for Cross-border Transfers of Personal Information
As of 1 June 2023, the Cyberspace Administration of China will implement measures to protect the rights and interests of personal information.
To transfer personal information out of the Mainland, Personal Data Processors (enterprises or organisations) shall enter a standard contract and fulfil the following conditions:
- not an operator of critical information infrastructure.
- processes personal information not more than one million persons (in aggregate).
- cumulatively made outbound transfers of personal information of not more than 100,000 persons (in aggregate) since 1 January of the preceding year.
- cumulatively made outbound transfers of sensitive personal information of not more than 10,000 persons since 1 January of the preceding year
Before transferring the personal information, the personal data processor shall duly undergo a security assessment and file it and the contract with the local cyberspace administration authority at the provincial level within 10 working days of the effective date of the contract.
A 6-month grace period up to 29 November 2023 is given to the organisation to follow up non-compliance cross-border personal information transfers carried out before the Measures’ effective date.
Have more questions regarding labour laws in China? Get in touch with one of our representatives today!
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1. Labour Law Insider- APAC 2023 Q2 Legislation Update
2. Does China’s Reopening of Borders Mean Businesses Can Hire More?
3. How Much Should You Earn? – 2023 Asia Pacific Salary Guide