Ⅰ. About Weihai International Sister Cities Scholarship

1. Introduction 

Weihai starts to recruit a person from each of the international sister cities to study Chinese language and culture in the local university from this year on. The candidate must be recommended by the sister city’s council, and enjoy the scholarship. The study period lasts two school terms (each term is five months, the winter and summer vacations are not included). The scholarship is 20,000 RMB yuan which is used to cover tuition, lodging, board, and training fees. The costs of international travels, winter and summer vacations and etc. are at his/her own expense.

2. The Entry Requirements 

(1) Age ranges from 25-45 years old (Age can be relaxed if it is necessary).

(2) The candidate must be recommended by the International sister city council and is enthusiastic about exchanges with China.

(3) The candidate needs to fill out the Application Form of Weihai International Sister Cities Scholarship and submit it to the Weihai Foreign Affairs Office with the letter of recommendation from his/her city council.

(4) The duration of study in Weihai is usually two terms which is 10 months, at least no less than one term. It can be extended for two terms after mutual consultation and agreement.

 (5) The candidate who has already received government scholarships or corporate funding from various levels in China will no longer enjoy this scholarship.

3. Student Management

(1) All the students study Chinese language and culture in the university designated by Weihai Foreign Affairs Office. 

(2) All the students should participate in the activities organized by the Weihai government or Foreign Affairs Office. If the student fails to attend the activities twice within a term, the scholarship will be suspended. 

We are expecting that your city will soon start to look for the right person for this program. We strongly suggest that you could send a person who is in charge of international relations for the council, or a staff who works for some local organization engaged in promoting international friendly exchanges, or other person whom your council believe will help to promote exchanges between our two cities. The application form, letter of recommendation and passport scans need to be send as soon as possible.

Contacts：Ju Ping, Jiang Junxiu, Zhang Wei

Tel：0086-631-5286970 E-mail：weihailink@126.com 

The 2019 Sino Benelux Business Survey is organized by the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, supported by the official trade-and diplomatic representations of Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg in China and in partnership with MSAdvisory. The organizers have investigated how the Benelux business community in China has performed in 2018, their experiences in the market and what their expectations are for 2019.

Similar to previous years, this survey was conducted so that the Benelux business community and other important stakeholders can better understand the Chinese business climate and how they may improve within its challenging business environment.

This year 139 companies have participated in the Sino-Benelux Business Survey. Most of the respondents come from Industrial Goods and Services (41%). The Industry with the second highest participation is Consumer Goods and Services (27%). On average, the respondents have operated in China for 12.1 years. More than 50% of the respondents are SMEs with revenue from RMB 1 million to RMB 100 million.

The performance of Benelux businesses in China remained fairly positive, with 86% of respondents reporting revenue growth and 85% reporting profits. SMEs (companies with 0-49 employees or up to RMB 10 million in revenue) represent the group with the highest percentage of revenue growth > 20%. The percentage of companies reporting no revenue growth or growth >20% increased for the first time since 2015; we observe a more volatile market with more winners and losers. Companies in the Consumer Goods sector reported the highest revenue growth; 45% of the respondents reported revenue growth over 20%.

Increased Turnover and Economies of Scale (28%) are the most significant positive drivers for Benelux business in China. This year, fewer companies perceive the Chinese Market to be favorable (58%) compared to last year (66%). Only 18% of the respondents came across BRI partnership and business opportunities, of which the majority are SMEs. Salary costs (24%) is the most significant negative driver in 2018, following a similar trend from previous years. The percentage of companies which perceive that the “Level Playing Field” and “Regulatory environment” has become more restrictive has increased. 37% of the respondents said they were affected by the China-U.S. Trade War.

Most participants have good expectations on their revenue and profit growth for 2019, with 89% expecting revenue growth and 93% expecting profits. Both Dutch and Belgian companies are much more optimistic about their profit expectations, with respectively 92% and 96% expect to make profit in 2019. All startups are expecting revenue growth, as well as over 80% of respondents from the Consumers Services industry. The majority of Benelux companies attributed the fact that they were making profits to revenue growth (49%), whereas a further 38% attributed this to both revenue growth and cost savings.

In their conclusion the organizers made following remarks:
• Despite recent reforms, we observe a continuous more negative perception of the Chinese business environment as compared to previous years.
• Salary Costs and Administration Costs are again a major concern for businesses in China.
• Companies from the Benelux actually felt the impact of the China-U.S. Trade War.
• In 2018, again business has been profitable for Benelux companies in China.
• In addition, the respondents have positive expectations for the growth in 2019, which is mostly driven by continuous Use of Technology and Increased Turnover which arises due to a very receptive market.
• More volatile market conditions which result in winners and losers.
• Negative perception but good results!

The past month has witnessed a flurry of activity from Chinese regulators that has resulted not only the publication of multiple standards and draft regulations in the areas of cybersecurity and data protection, but also two related enforcement initiatives with the potential to tangibly impact companies in China. Below we provide a brief summary of each of these important developments.

Legislative Developments

Measures related to the Cross-border Transfer of Personal Information. On June 13, 2019, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) issued the draft Measures on Security Assessment of the Cross-border Transfer of Personal Information, intending to create a cross-border data transfer mechanism to govern all transfers of personal information by network operators (e.g., companies). (See our blog post here.) These draft measures introduce a broad jurisdictional scope for regulating cross-border transfers of personal information, and require all network operators to undergo a security assessment before transferring any personal information collected in China to recipients outside of China. Furthermore, network operators must implement contracts with personal information recipients outside of China, requiring them to fulfill certain data protection obligations and including a third-party beneficiary clause that would provide individuals with a legal means to enforce their rights and seek compensation for abuses of personal information, among other requirements.

Protection of Children’s Personal Information Online. On May 31, 2019, the CAC released the draft Regulation on the Protection of Children’s Personal Information Online, which sets out heightened requirements for network operators when collecting, storing, using, transferring or disclosing the personal information of minors, defined as under 14 years old. (See our blog post here.) Notable requirements include: providing notice to and obtaining consent from guardians acting on behalf of minors; appointing an internal person responsible for overseeing the protection of children’s personal information; implementing internal access controls; conducting data security assessments for certain data-sharing activities; implementing measures to facilitate the exercise of individuals’ rights; and implementing an incident response plan. CAC may enforce these provisions in a variety of ways, including fines of up to RMB 1 million (~$145,000), closing down a website, revoking a business license, or even criminal prosecution.

Data Security Management. On May 28, 2019, the CAC released the draft Measures for Data Security Management, which incorporate some previously issued requirements for personal information protection while also introducing several new rules for the protection of “important data.” (See our blog post here.) Requirements to protect personal information address issues such as notice and consent, data subjects’ rights, targeted advertising, data sharing, data retention, and incident response. Requirements to protect “important data” (i.e., “data that, if leaked, may directly affect China’s national security, economic security, social stability, or public health and security”) include, for example, notifying the local CAC if a business collects important data or sensitive personal data for “operational purposes,” and conducting a security assessment for cross-border transfers. The draft measures provide the CAC with a variety of means by which to enforce these provisions and punish violations – not only through fines and penalties, but also with the possibility of criminal prosecution.

Cybersecurity Review when Procuring Network Products and Services by CII. On May 24, 2019, the CAC released the draft Measures on Cybersecurity Review, which have the objective of safeguarding the procurement of network products and services by Critical Information Infrastructure (“CII”) operators that may impact the national security of China. (See our blog post here.) The cybersecurity review process laid out in these measures includes a self-assessment of risks associated with the procurement of network products and services. If the self-assessment flags specific risks, then the CII operator must undergo a review by an inter-agency body comprised of members from eleven different government agencies. In some ways similar to the CFIUS review process in the United States, members of the CAC review body will assess the national security risks associated with the procurement, considering factors such as: supply chain transparency and security; influence on technologies and industries relating to national defense, the military and CII; and whether the provider receives funds from or is controlled by a foreign government.

MLPS 2.0 Standards. On May 13, 2019, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation released three standards related to the country’s Cybersecurity Multi-level Protection Scheme (“MLPS”), describing technical and organizational controls that companies must implement to comply with MLPS-related obligations. (See our blog post here.) These standards (commonly referred to as “MLPS 2.0”) include provisions to: (i) significantly expand the applicability of the MLPS by broadening the definition of “information systems”; (ii) establish common controls for all types of systems; and (iii) establish extended controls for certain types of systems. The MLPS 2.0 standards introduce different technical and organizational controls for companies at different security classification levels and provide important technical guidance for companies that are making efforts to comply. Certain extended controls – such as localized infrastructure, storage, and maintenance for cloud computing systems – could, if they become mandatory, potentially raise significant compliance issues for global cloud service providers and their customers.

Enforcement Initiatives

MLPS Systems Audit. In early June, we understand from some of our multinational clients that the Public Security Bureaus (“PSBs”) of both Beijing and Shanghai are requiring companies to submit information regarding “important systems” which must be certified under MLPS. This self-reporting can take the form of submitting spreadsheets to PSBs, identifying systems potentially in scope, and providing proof of MLPS certification. We further understand that after the completion of the PSB’s collection of information from company systems, the next step in the process is for the PSB to conduct on-site inspection of company systems. Apparently, these inspections will be done at random, although it is believed that the PSB will focus on systems classified as Level 3 or higher. The on-site inspection may also involve the use of scanning tools to examine company systems, although it is unclear at this time exactly what tools the PSB may use.

Mobile Application Privacy Check. We have also received reports from multinational clients that regulators at both the central and the local levels (including but not limited to local PSBs) are currently carrying out a campaign to audit the collection and use of personal information via mobile applications. Specifically, some clients have received an audit report from PSB which identifies gaps in two main aspects of mobile application privacy compliance: collection of user data through API or SDK and privacy policy. Our clients were told that they must remediate these gaps in one month to avoid further regulatory action. Many of the requirements for compliance are quite prescriptive, as outlined in the CAC’s “Guidelines for Self-Assessment on Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information” and the “Identification Methods for Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information by Apps.” These rules focus particularly on the privacy notice (e.g., its presentation, readability and consistency), and the means by which consent is obtained (i.e. whether an application obtain user data through API or SDK without obtaining explicit permission from users).

If you have any questions concerning the material discussed in this client alert, please contact the following members of our
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity practice:
Tim Stratford +86 10 5910 0508 tstratford@cov.com
Yan Luo +86 10 5910 0516 yluo@cov.com

This information is not intended as legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before acting with regard to the subjects mentioned herein. Covington & Burling LLP, an international law firm, provides corporate, litigation and regulatory expertise to enable clients to achieve their goals. This communication is intended to bring relevant developments to our clients and other interested colleagues.

The Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM) announced on 31 May 2019 that the Chinese government will introduce an “Unreliable Entity List” regime, under which foreign entities or individuals that boycott or cut off supplies to Chinese companies for non-commercial purposes and causing serious damages to Chinese companies would be listed as “Unreliable Entities”. The specific rules, including the list itself and the restrictive measures applicable to the listed entities, will be separately released in the near future. This new regime may be used by China as a countermeasure against export control measures of foreign governments targeting specific Chinese companies.

If you have any questions on the topics covered or need further clarification on any particular issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual contact at Baker McKenzie, or any of the lawyers listed below.

Download alert

Contacts:
Jon Cowley +852 2846 1744 jon.cowley@bakermckenzie.com
Frank Pan +86 21 6105 8523 frank.pan@bakermckenzie.com
Zhenyu Ruan +86 21 6105 8577 zhenyu.ruan@bakermckenziefenxun.com

What is it about?
On the initiative of, and with financing from the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation (DGD), the Business Partnership Facility awards subsidies to support and develop private sector involvement in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries. The projects targeted by this call must contribute to achieving at least one clearly-identified SDG.

The Facility aims to simultaneously achieve two types of result:

• social impact: creation and maintenance of jobs, improvement in average income for families with low incomes, access to affordable goods and services for those on low incomes (by gender), inclusion and economic development of women and young people with low incomes, positive impact on the environment through saving resources, reducing emissions and by preserving biodiversity etc.;

• economic viability: partnerships must clearly explain how the supported initiatives will become sustainable, present a competitive financial performance and show signs of potential scalability and replication.

This call for projects is planned for a period of 5 years so you can submit an application at any time. See “Timing” to know the next deadline. After the preselection and ESG screening, the application forms will be forwarded to the independent selection committee which meets twice a year and makes the final selection.

Who is it for?
Each applicant must be part of a partnership that brings together actors from the private sector, civil society, academia and/or the public sector. The partnership must comprise at least one organization from the for-profit private sector. Partners may be Belgian, European or international legal entities, under public or private law.
Selection criteria

How to submit your application
BEGIN BY REGISTERING IN ORDER TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

How to submit an application form online? View video
• If you are not very familiar with computers: 02-500 4 555 or proj@kbs-frb.be.
• The King Baudouin Foundation of course complies with privacy legislation in this area.

Timing
Start 5/04/2019

Submit until 9/09/2019

Announcement of selection 15/12/2019

Financial support: up to € 200.000

Contact
For general information:

Contact Center +32-2-500 4 555

For specific details:
Elke Briers +32-2-549 03 78