The appointment term for listed company secretaries has been relaxed; replacements must be made within 6 months after resignation

The China Securities Regulatory Commission announced today the “Regulation on the Supervision of Secretaries to the Board of Listed Companies,” which will take effect on May 24, 2026. This is the first regulation specifically targeting the supervision of secretaries to the board of listed companies. The regulation clearly states that if a secretary is dismissed or resigns, the listed company must complete the appointment within six months; during the vacancy, the chairman shall perform the duties. Notably, compared to the three-month vacancy period in the previous draft for public comment, the official version has extended the period. The CSRC stated that this adjustment fully incorporates feedback from all parties, as some comments during the consultation process pointed out that completing the appointment within three months is difficult in practice. (Cailian Press)