In a move to solidify the role of the private sector in its economy, China has passed its first Private Economy Promotion Law. The law, aimed at promoting the development of private enterprises and ensuring their equal treatment and participation in economic activities, will enter into force on May 20.

Beijing is threatening to retaliate against ongoing U.S. lawsuits that seek to hold the Chinese government accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic. An 8,000-word report released by the government calls the lawsuits "politically motivated" and "absurd," and indicates China has various countermeasures at its disposal.

In recent months, the Trump administration has rolled out a number of trade actions, either China-specific or applying to all countries, which have increased the tariff rates applied to goods imported from China. Here is a breakdown of U.S. tariff policy, with an emphasis on specific items of interest.

Chinese officials outlined a series of policy measures to stabilize the economy amid trade friction with the United States, putting more emphasis on domestic consumption, market diversification, services trade, and new investment.

Over the weekend, China's market regulator warned against any actions to circumvent the ongoing antitrust investigation on the CK Hutchison port purchase.

With the World Trade Organization's (WTO) dispute settlement system effectively sidelined in U.S.-China disputes, other mechanisms in international law may serve as a legal basis for China to retaliate against U.S. tariffs and other discriminatory measures, a Chinese lawyer argues.

Last week, Toyota and the Shanghai government signed a deal to build a new EV plant in the Jinshan District of Shanghai.