The head of the Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Commerce interprets the "Guidelines for Enterprises to Fulfill Social Responsibility Overseas"

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce issued the "Guidelines for Enterprises to Fulfill Social Responsibility Overseas" (Shang He Han [2025] No. 673, hereinafter referred to as the "Work Guidelines"). The head of the Department of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce interpreted the "Work Guidelines".

1、 Background of the Introduction of the Work Guidelines

General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that "going global" enterprises should abide by the laws of the host country, operate with integrity, and actively fulfill social responsibilities. The Ministry of Commerce has resolutely implemented and formulated a series of policies and measures to guide and regulate the overseas business behavior and social responsibility of enterprises. Special training covering various "going out" enterprises has been carried out, and efforts have been made in collaboration with industry organizations and overseas Chinese funded enterprise associations to enhance the awareness and ability of enterprises to fulfill social responsibility overseas through multiple measures, achieving positive results. More and more Chinese enterprises are conscientiously fulfilling their social responsibilities in the process of foreign investment cooperation, making important contributions to the sustainable development of the host country (region) economy and society, demonstrating the responsibility and good image of Chinese enterprises.

In order to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and continuously promote the improvement of the overseas comprehensive service system, the Ministry of Commerce has formulated and issued the "Work Guidelines" based on in-depth research and extensive solicitation of opinions, guiding and supporting "going global" enterprises to enhance their cross-border business capabilities, practicing the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind with practical actions, implementing the four major global initiatives, and better fulfilling social responsibilities in international cooperation in industrial and supply chains.

2、 The main content of the 'Work Guidelines'

The Work Guidelines consist of seven chapters and fifty-three articles. The main content includes: firstly, encouraging enterprises to improve their international business level, fully integrating the fulfillment of social responsibility into cross-border business development strategies, major decisions, and cultural construction, and enhancing their awareness and ability to fulfill social responsibility. The second is to advocate supporting the host country (region) to enhance its economic development momentum from nine aspects, including industrial development, infrastructure construction, product and service supply, and technological innovation. Thirdly, we advocate supporting the improvement of people's livelihoods and social harmony in the host country (region) through 10 aspects, including subordinate local management, labor relations, community relations, cultural exchanges, and participation in public welfare undertakings. The fourth is to advocate supporting the environmental protection and green transformation of host countries (regions) from eight aspects, including green investment, green production, green minerals, and green infrastructure. The fifth is to promote the healthy and sustainable development of the industry from 11 aspects, including compliant operation, quality management, business order, and safety production. The sixth is to advocate enhancing the ability of enterprises to fulfill their social responsibilities from eight aspects, including management structure, development strategy, management system, and information disclosure.

3、 The main features of the 'Work Guidelines'

Firstly, the public service attribute is more prominent. As a concrete achievement in the construction of the overseas comprehensive service system, the Work Guidelines systematically clarify the norms for enterprises to fulfill their social responsibilities overseas, and are an important public service product for serving the vast number of "going global" enterprises.

Secondly, it has a wide coverage. The Work Guidelines are formulated based on relevant laws and regulations in China, combined with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and other agendas, rules, and standards, as well as the actual situation of the host country (region). They provide comprehensive guidance from the dimensions of economy, society, and environment, fully considering the practical capabilities of different types of enterprises, and helping enterprises improve their work system for fulfilling social responsibilities overseas.

Thirdly, it has strong operability. The 'Work Guidelines' fully absorb the effective experience of excellent enterprises in fulfilling social responsibilities and promoting sustainable development overseas, providing feasible practical paths for enterprises. At the same time, enterprises are encouraged to adjust and improve, explore and innovate in the process of implementation according to local conditions and actual conditions.

Next, the Ministry of Commerce will continue to work with relevant departments to promote the improvement of the overseas comprehensive service system, introduce more public service products, and strive to meet the high-quality and specialized overseas comprehensive service needs of enterprises, supporting the healthy development and stable development of Chinese "going global" enterprises.