The China Employment Contracts Act defines certain minimum and mandatory requirements for what must be included in a contract with every employee. The Act establishes standards for the employment relationship with a goal of protecting workers, which are embodied in a contract that must be signed by the parties.

The Act applies to all full-time employment relationships whether in the public or private sector. Under the Act, a contract must be signed with an employee within one month of their being employed; the contract can be terminated by agreement, by the employee with thirty days’ notice, or at any time if the employer is in violation of the law, for example as to working or to wage non-payment.