Saturday, September 26, 2026English edition
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Country risk, from the local press

China · Country watch

Beijing Real Estate Rules, EV Tax Resumes, Gold Trading Curbs

New real estate regulations in Beijing, a resumed lithium-ion tax, and curbs on gold trading impact business operations in China.

· · 4 sources

The picture Mixed

Business conditions in China are mixed today. New real estate rules in Beijing and a resumed lithium-ion tax challenge sectors, while gold trading curbs affect finance. Trade talks with the EU remain unresolved, adding to uncertainties.

In this briefing Beijing · Beijing Municipal Government · China · EV manufacturers · Battery manufacturers · Shanghai Gold Exchange · Industrial and Commercial Bank of China · Ling Ji · European Union · Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China

Regulation

  • construction
  • finance

Beijing introduces new real estate sales regulations

B-5906 was flying CA112 (from Hong Kong) at that time.
B-5906 was flying CA112 (from Hong Kong) at that time. N509FZ, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Beijing has implemented new real estate regulations to reform the housing sales system, effective from September 24, 2026, according to ChinaNews.com. The measures include capping pre-sale amounts, limiting deposits to 1%, and strengthening oversight of market order and quality. The initiative aims to stabilize the housing market by enhancing pre-sale management and encouraging existing home sales. The policy also includes a lead bank system and improved credit management for housing sales.

Impact Real estate developers and banks in Beijing face new sales and credit regulations, impacting housing market operations.

Sources: ChinaNews.com ↗

  • automotive
  • manufacturing

China resumes lithium-ion battery tax, sparking EV dispute

China has reinstated a consumption tax on lithium-ion batteries, ending an 11-year exemption, according to South China Morning Post Business. The tax, now at 2% and set to rise to 4%, has sparked negotiations between electric vehicle (EV) makers and battery manufacturers over who should bear the cost. The tax resumption comes amid weak domestic demand for EVs, adding financial pressure on the industry.

Impact EV makers and battery producers in China face increased costs as the lithium-ion battery tax resumes.

Sources: South China Morning Post Business ↗

  • finance

Chinese banks to end retail leveraged gold trading

Head office building of Industrial & Commercial Bank of China on West Chang'an Avenue in Beijing
Head office building of Industrial & Commercial Bank of China on West Chang'an Avenue in Beijing Boubloub, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Shanghai Gold Exchange is prompting at least a dozen Chinese banks to cease retail leveraged precious-metals trading, reports South China Morning Post Business. This decision affects trading where investors speculate on gold and silver prices without owning the physical metals. The move comes as international gold prices experience volatility, prompting banks like the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China to reassess their trading practices.

Impact Retail investors in China lose access to leveraged gold trading as banks comply with new regulations.

Sources: South China Morning Post Business ↗

Disruption

Nothing significant reported today.

Internal tension

Nothing significant reported today.

Safety & health

Nothing significant reported today.

Companies

Nothing significant reported today.

Markets

Nothing significant reported today.

Trade

  • manufacturing
  • automotive

China-EU talks stall on medical devices, PHEV safeguards

China and the European Union remain at an impasse over trade in medical devices, according to ChinaMorningPost. Discussions in Beijing have not resolved the deadlock, while talks continue on Brussels' plan to impose import safeguards on Chinese plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Vice-Minister of Commerce Ling Ji participated in the discussions, which are part of ongoing efforts to address trade imbalances between the regions.

Impact Medical device exporters and PHEV manufacturers face ongoing trade uncertainties between China and the EU.

Sources: ChinaMorningPost ↗

Politics

Nothing significant reported today.

Also today in China

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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