What Happened On March 15, China's legislature passed a highly anticipated foreign investment law that will replace the existing three laws that govern foreign investment in the country. The law — which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020 — includes provisions to bar forced technological transfers, and emphasizes equal treatment for foreign investment and intellectual property protections. It also provides a mechanism to settle disputes by foreign investors. Furthermore, the legislation includes a measure that prohibits administrative staff from leaking "confidential information" — presumably an effort to address foreign investors' concerns over China's espionage practices. The new law does, however, leave ambiguity around the national security review process, which stipulates that the acquisition of Chinese companies by foreign investors are subject to Beijing's anti-monopoly law.