Earlier this week, the Chinese Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released for public comment its draft Interim Measures for the Participation in Social Insurance of Foreigners Employed in China. The public comment process will close on June 17, 2011. This short deadline suggests that there will be few public comments, and hence, the draft may be final, or very close to final.

According to the draft Interim Measures, expatriates who are legally employed by enterprises, public institutions, social groups, privately owned non-enterprise units, foundations, law firms, and accounting firms in China are required to participate in basic pension and medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance, and maternity insurance. Employers and expatriates should pay social insurance contributions in accordance with relevant regulations.