China Adopts New Laws on Academic Degrees, Tariffs, and Amends Existing Legislation

The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in China concluded its ninth session in Beijing on April 26, 2024. During the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt an academic degrees law, a tariff law, and a decision to amend the Law on the Popularization of Agricultural Technology, the Law on the Protection of Minors, and the Biosecurity Law. President Xi Jinping signed three presidential orders to promulgate the laws and the decision.

The newly adopted academic degrees law aims to ensure the quality and standardize the process of conferring degrees while protecting the rights of degree applicants. The law, which will take effect on January 1, 2025, strengthens quality assurance by formulating provisions to supervise key parties and processes. It also specifies the responsibilities of institutions, supervisors, and students for doctoral degrees and outlines conditions under which degrees are not conferred or revoked, including academic misconduct such as ghostwriting and plagiarism.

The tariff law, set to take effect on December 1, 2024, establishes legal regulations related to tariffs on Chinese imports and exports. The law allows China to apply the 'principle of reciprocity' to respond to countries that violate trade agreements by increasing tariffs on Chinese goods. This development comes amid ongoing trade tensions between China and the US, as well as the EU's consideration of imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and an investigation into China's procurement of public medical equipment.

Why this matters: The adoption of these new laws and amendments to existing legislation demonstrates China's efforts to strengthen its legal framework in various sectors, including education, trade, agriculture, child protection, and biosecurity. These developments have far-reaching implications for China's domestic policies and its interactions with the international community, particularly in the context of ongoing trade disputes and global economic challenges.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting and urged lawmakers to earnestly implement the work priorities and plan of the NPC Standing Committee for this year and perform their duties in accordance with the law. Zhao also emphasized the importance of leveraging lawmakers' professional expertise and expanding their participation in the work of the NPC Standing Committee.

Key Takeaways

• China's NPC Standing Committee passed new laws on academic degrees, tariffs, and amendments.
• The academic degrees law aims to ensure quality and standardize the degree conferral process.
• The tariff law allows China to apply reciprocity in response to trade agreement violations.
• The laws and amendments demonstrate China's efforts to strengthen its legal framework in various sectors.
• The NPC Standing Committee chairman emphasized implementing work priorities and expanding lawmakers' participation.