China Securities Regulatory Commission consults on supervisory rules to clarify duties and tighten accountability for listed company board secretaries

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has published a draft Regulatory Rules for Board Secretaries of Listed Companies for public consultation, aiming to standardise how board secretaries perform their functions and to raise listed-company governance standards. The draft contains 38 articles and sets expectations for the role across disclosure, governance and communications. The proposed framework clarifies the scope of board secretaries’ responsibilities in information disclosure, corporate governance, and internal and external communication. It also introduces safeguards to support performance of duties, including access to information, working platforms and avenues for remedies. Appointment management would be strengthened by raising professional and compliance requirements, prohibiting concurrent roles that may create conflicts with the position’s responsibilities, and requiring the nomination committee to review candidates’ eligibility. On accountability, listed companies would be required to conduct regular internal performance evaluations and pursue internal responsibility, while the regulator would take strict supervisory measures or impose penalties where a listed company commits violations and the board secretary has not exercised due diligence. The regulator is soliciting feedback and will revise the rules based on consultation input before issuing them for implementation through the formal process.