China to further regulate setting, enforcing fines

The State Council issued a guideline on further regulating and overseeing the setting and enforcement of fines, according to a circular released on Feb 19.

According to the circular, efforts should be made to address problems that are affecting enterprises and people, such as arbitrary fines, in order to enhance government services and effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and people, further improving the law-based business environment.

The circular said that fines should be set scientifically in accordance with the law, and the enforcement of fines should be strictly regulated.

Measures should be taken to continue to regulate off-site law enforcement, said the circular, adding that illegal, non-compliant and unnecessary monitoring devices should not be used.

The circular also stressed comprehensively intensifying oversight on the enforcement of fines and continuing to strengthen supervision on financial accounting and audit.