Singaporean companies investing in Shanghai can now complete their entire digital identity authentication process online. The Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation and the Shanghai Municipal Data Bureau have collaborated with Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) to launch a nationwide first: a fully online business registration service for foreign enterprises based on cross-border digital identity authentication. This breakthrough in cross-border data connectivity is expected to expand to serve foreign companies from Belt and Road Initiative countries and Southeast Asia, enabling complete online processing for cross-border business registration.

This shift marks a transition of government services from offline to cloud-based platforms. Shortly after the Spring Festival, Chuangxing Food (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., registered in Qingpu District, had already decorated its Shanghai office and was busy recruiting staff while applying for a food business license. The company's Singaporean investor, IFBH from Singapore, specializes in the popular Thai coconut water brand IF. After participating in the China International Import Expo last year, the company identified Shanghai as a core strategic city and decided to establish itself in the Xihongqiao Business District of Qingpu. Obtaining their business license entirely online accelerated their transition from "exhibitor" to "investor."

As an overseas company without local management in China, the fully online registration process was a pleasant surprise. From document submission to facial recognition and e-stamping, every step was completed online. The business license was issued approximately two days after all procedures were finished, offering significant convenience and time savings. The legal representative of Chuangxing Food (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., based in Singapore, expressed increased confidence in Shanghai's business environment due to the efficient and user-friendly government services. Once the local team is recruited, the company will begin implementing more localized strategies and operations.

This company is the first in China to benefit from the fully online cross-border business registration service. Data shows that there are over 4,300 Singapore-invested enterprises in Shanghai, with more than 300 new establishments each year. Following this pilot, the service will extend to all Singaporean enterprises investing in Shanghai.

The shift to fully online digital identity authentication brings substantial benefits to cross-border companies. Previously, Singaporean companies needed to notarize and authenticate their registration documents in Singapore before submitting paper-based proofs and application forms in person in Shanghai, followed by a waiting period for review. However, with over 95% of domestic companies in China already able to complete business registration entirely paperless, foreign investors have shown strong demand for similar convenience.

Recognizing this need, Shanghai has leveraged cutting-edge technologies such as distributed digital identity, verifiable credentials, and blockchain to provide efficient and trustworthy identity verification. Through the Shanghai-Singapore cooperation mechanism, the two sides have overcome legal, technical, and operational barriers to mutual recognition, ensuring secure, authentic, and tamper-proof data transmission.

Now, Singaporean companies no longer need to provide paper-based notarized documents. Authorized signatories can complete identity authentication and e-signing entirely online, eliminating the time and cost associated with mailing and processing physical documents. After online review by regulators, business licenses are issued, achieving a contactless approval and zero-travel registration model for foreign enterprises, effectively reducing institutional transaction costs.

Under the traditional method, cross-border courier services for authentication documents took at least a week, with potential delays if documents were incomplete. The online process enhances convenience, efficiency, and security, helping to amplify the spillover effects of the Import Expo.

The implementation of cross-border digital identity authentication for fully online foreign enterprise registration represents an important practice for Shanghai in aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules such as the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). It signifies a major step forward in Shanghai's cross-border digital cooperation and the internationalization of government services.

Relevant authorities revealed that a key focus for Shanghai-Singapore cooperation this year is enabling fully online establishment procedures for Shanghai-based companies setting up in Singapore, achieving true mutual recognition. This model is expected to be replicated and promoted among cross-border enterprises in Belt and Road Initiative and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries, facilitating more overseas investors to conduct business in China.

Moving forward, Shanghai will continue to expand its cross-border digital mutual trust cooperation network, providing global investors with convenient and secure digital government services. This effort aims to continuously improve the convenience of foreign investment, enhance Shanghai's appeal as an international investment destination, and inject new momentum into creating a world-class business environment in the city.