1. Beijing

Protecting plant varieties

The first revised regulations on the protection of new plant varieties since 1997 took effect on March 1, empowering agricultural or forest administrations to fine offenders up to 250,000 yuan ($40,175) for infringements valued at less than 50,000 yuan. For damages over 50,000 yuan, violators will face fines of up to five times the value of the produce they sold.