On October 9, the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC") ssued the Negative List for Market Access (2021 Version) (Draft for Comment) (the "Draft for Comment") to solicit public opinions.

The Draft for Comment proposes a total of 117 items, including six items of prohibited access and 111 items of approved access, six items less than previous year. All kinds of market players may enjoy equal access to industries, fields and business outside the List in accordance with the law. Among others, the Draft for Comment prohibits any illegal business activity related to finance. A non-financial institution or an enterprise not engaged in any financial activity shall not use in its registered name or business scope any finance-related word, such as "financial leasing", "commercial factoring", "small loan", "finance", "asset management", "financial management", "online loans", "Internet lending", "P2P", "Internet insurance", "payment", "foreign exchange (exchange, exchange settlement, currency exchange)" and "fund management".

(Source: National Development and Reform Commission)