China Focus: China issues guideline to regulate automakers' overseas competitive practices

China issued a guideline on Tuesday to regulate Chinese automakers' overseas competitive practices and strengthen corporate compliance, aiming to promote the sound and orderly global expansion of the country's auto industry.

The 20-article guideline provides general guidance for Chinese automotive companies engaged in international operations, with a focus on practices that include overseas marketing, according to a circular released by China's Ministry of Commerce and two other government departments.

It also provides guidance on compliance for automakers in areas such as overseas production safety, quality management, labor protection and data security.

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Customs data showed that China exported 8.32 million vehicles to more than 200 countries and regions in 2025.

Industry experts said the auto-sector guideline complements two earlier guidelines issued by the Ministry of Commerce in 2025 on anti-corruption compliance and corporate social responsibility for companies operating overseas. Together, the documents help put China's broader support system for companies operating overseas into practice and tailor it to key industries, experts noted.

Chinese companies have so far invested in automotive manufacturing in over 80 countries and regions.

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