From January, these new regulations will be implemented
Starting from January 2025, a series of new regulations will be implemented, covering areas such as degree evaluation, network data processing, the legitimate rights and interests of martyrs’ families, and statutory holidays. At the same time, the adjustment scheme for statutory holidays that have attracted widespread social attention has also begun to be updated.
Three situations will not be awarded or revoked degrees according to the People’s Republic of China Degree Law, which will be implemented from January 1, 2025. Degree applicants or degree recipients, during the process of pursuing the degree, if any of the following situations occur, the degree shall not be awarded or shall be revoked by the degree授予委员会upon review of the Degree Evaluation Committee. These situations include: academic misconduct such as being found to have used a paper proxy, plagiarism, falsification in the dissertation or practice成果; stealing or falsely using others’ identities to obtain entrance qualifications or other illegal means to obtain entrance qualifications,毕业证书; and other serious violations of law that should not be awarded a degree during the period of study.
At the same time, the Degree Law also clarifies the remedy path for degree applicants and recipients. For example, if a degree授予单位intends to make a decision not to award a degree or to revoke a degree, it should notify the applicant of the content, facts, reasons and basis of the decision, and listen to the statements and申辩. If a degree applicant has异议关于academic evaluation results, he/she can apply for a reevaluation and the degree授予单位should organize experts for a reevaluation.
The Network Data Management Regulations will be implemented from January 1, 2025. The Regulations stipulates that no individual or organization may use network data to engage in illegal activities, and is not allowed to engage in illegal network data processing activities such as stealing or using other illegal means to obtain network data.
The revised Anti-Money Laundering Law of the People’s Republic of China will also be implemented from January 1, 2025. The revised law expands the scope of supervision, incorporating non-financial institutions into the scope of anti-money laundering obligations. These institutions include real estate development enterprises and intermediaries, accounting firms, notary agencies, precious metals and宝石交易商等.
The revised law also increases the penalties for illegal behavior. For example, financial institutions that fail to conduct customer due diligence investigation, retain customer information and transaction records, report large transactions and suspicious transactions may be fined up to 2 million yuan. The revised anti-money laundering law clarifies that anti-money laundering work should be carried out in accordance with law, ensure that anti-money laundering measures are commensurate with money laundering risks, ensure the smooth progress of normal financial services and capital flows, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of units and individuals.
The revised Martyrs’ Commendation Regulations will be implemented from January 1, 2025 to safeguard the dignity and honor of martyrs and protect the legitimate rights and interests of their families. It supplements the circumstances of martyr recognition, improves the review process after recognition, strengthens information reporting, and clarifies the channels for one-time pension payment. It also provides clear regulations on supporting preferential treatment and assistance for the elderly children of martyrs.
In addition, the Energy Law of the People’s Republic of China will be implemented from January 1, 2025. The law encourages the priority development and utilization of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy, promotes the safe and efficient use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, and improves energy conservation and emission reduction measures.
The National Natural Science Fund Law stipulates that all participants in scientific research must abide by the principle of integrity and establish a joint punishment mechanism to seriously deal with violations. It also expands the types of violations and increases penalties.
According to the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on implementing a gradual delay in the statutory retirement age, starting from January 1, 2025, China will gradually increase the retirement age of male employees from the original 60 years old to 63 years old over a period of 15 years. For female employees whose retirement age will be delayed from 50 years old to 55 years old or 58 years old respectively depending on their specific situation at work (such as whether they are leaders or 普通 workers). Those born after different years will be subject to different policies depending on their birth year.
At the same time, there is an increase in public statutory holidays through an amendment made in 2024 to National Year Holiday Arrangements by modifying Spring Festival Holiday Length and May Day Holiday Length by adding an extra day each year in addition to various other holidays in line with special circumstances. This means that collectively there will now be more days off for all citizens each year including Spring Festival which will now last for
